HOPE

Hope keeps us anchored; it's what God uses to keep us trusting and building the life that He's promised us.

Hope creates the atmosphere for faith to grow. If we lose hope, we lose. In the world we live in today, many people have the feeling that "all hope is lost." The fact that we have such high suicide rates and abuse in a variety of forms is proof that we've lost hope.

But, when we reflect on Jesus' name Immanuel, and the fact that He is with us, it brings us hope. Because God is with me I have hope for a greater outcome. Lamentations 3:21-23 in today's reading speaks to this perfectly.

God's closeness speaks to the goodness of God and his love for us; when we focus on God's goodness, hope rises in our hearts. Are you feeling tired? Are you feeling like hope is slipping away? It's time to refocus on Jesus.

PRAYER

Jesus, your mercy is new every morning, your love is overwhelming. Help us focus on your goodness rather than the pain and difficulty we often see in the world around us. When we feel hope slipping we'll remind ourselves of your goodness, and put our hope in you again. Amen