Day 4: Overflowing with Hope

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. —Romans 15:13 NIV

Once we’ve healed from our past disappointments and processed our unmet expectations with God, we must look to Him as our secure source of hope. Paul refers to God as ‘the God of hope’, meaning that not only does He provide hope for His people, but He is also our reason for steadfast hope.

Many of us become content with a random feeling of hope. We become accustomed to feeling hopeful when a situation calls for it or if events in our lives seem to add up to a particular conclusion that benefits us. We are often content with a level of hope that will keep despair at bay.

But in Paul’s letter to the believers at Rome, he introduces the concept of a believer’s heart being so rooted in God that it will ‘overflow with hope’. Overflowing hope paints a picture of abundant hope – so rich and full that it spills over into every aspect of our lives. This hope does not waver, even in the most tumultuous storms, because it comes from the God of hope Himself.

In Romans 15:13, we see that the pathway to experiencing this abundant hope begins with joy and peace. As we place our trust in God, He gives us these two gifts that open the doorway for us to live in true hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Joy is a deep-seated contentment found in knowing God’s presence. Peace calms our hearts amid chaos, allowing us to trust in His plans.

Trust is a crucial element in experiencing this overflowing hope. It means letting go of our fears and uncertainties and embracing the assurance that God is in control. When we surrender our worries to Him, we create space for His hope to fill our hearts.

An overflowing hope is contagious. When we live with hope, we naturally inspire those around us. Our faithfulness in difficult times can serve as a beacon, drawing others to seek the same hope we possess.

Hope point: Set a hope reminder today. Choose a visible spot in your home or workspace where you can place a visible reminder of God’s hope – whether it’s a Bible verse, a quote, a small symbol, or even a photo that represents His faithfulness. Each time you see it, take a deep breath and thank God for the hope you have in Him. Let it be a prompt to pray, reflect or share encouragement with someone who might need it. Throughout the day, whenever challenges arise, pause for a moment to focus on that reminder and let God’s hope overflow in your heart, transforming your perspective.

Prayer: Lord, I pray for my heart to overflow with hope. I pray that I would no longer settle for just having some hope but that I would trust you, the God of hope, to fill me until I overflow with it. Please remove any barriers that keep me from experiencing and sharing your abundant hope.