Do you ever say to yourself, “This is who I am… this is just the way things are going to be?” Often this kind of self-talk comes from a defeatist attitude. Yet by finding hope all things become possible. Those who hold hope in their hearts expect events to turn out for the best and feel that what is desired will come to be.
An analysis of the experience shared by 2,000 American soldiers held captive by the Nazis during World War II showed interesting findings. All had been put in concentration camps where they were systematically beaten. All had been brainwashed, starved and treated with indignity. Many of them died, others became physical wrecks and some were emotionally maimed.
But a small group of them emerged from their incarceration tough as nails. The researchers found that these men had decided that they wouldn’t let the terrible circumstances destroy them. They kept their spirits up by telling one another how wonderful life was going to be when they got back to the United States. These soldiers held on to the hope for a better tomorrow…a brighter future.
READ MORE: WHY WORRY WHEN YOU CAN PRAY?
All of my life’s challenges combined cannot compare to what our American soldiers, past and present, have been through. Yet, when I face illness, loss, hardship and troubled times, they appear insurmountable. In such situations, when I turn to the Lord, I find hope to face another day. I draw strength from His Word, which equips me with power to stand in the midst of adversity.
One of my favorite biblical passages is found in the third chapter of Lamentations: “Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!’”
I like to think of hope in the Lord as an aconym, H.O.P.E:
H = Help in times of need
O = Optimism for a future brighter than the present
P = Power to get through trials and troubles
E = Endurance to see the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord
What does hope mean to you? How do you keep hope alive in your life? Comment on your experience below.
Lord, help us believe in our hearts that however impossible circumstances may seem, great is your faithfulness! Your mercies begin afresh every morning!
