Hope does not disappoint...
I was thinking this morning about how faithful God has been to me. Sometimes it is so easy to get sidetracked by a myriad of things, some simple…some quite serious. But when you take the time to really think about how you have arrived to the place you are now…there has bound to be some fascinating stories of your journey. And even though some things may not have turned out like you dreamed they would be…you’re still here. And those very things that you thought would have surely done you in, instead they have molded and made you to the person you are right now...hopefully stronger and wiser.
The scripture says that “Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit…” hmmm, hope does not disappoint, so that means when we are going through a trial, we have to trust and believe that when we get through it, we will not be disappointed that we went through it, because God will some how turn it around for our good.
It is this “hope’ that allowed Corrie ten Boom to physically extend her hand and to forgive on the spot, the former Nazi that was not only instrumental in killing thousands of innocent Jews, but who also tortured her sister that led to her death. I am sure that when Corrie watched her sister die in that concentration camp, the last thing on her mind was forgiving the ones that caused their suffering. But her tribulation produced perseverance and that gave her strength of character and that gave her hope, hope to forgive, thus changing many lives for the better. And there are many true stories of people that had many trials, but having trusted God to bring them through, they have a special place in history. We can even look as close as our own parents, my Dad and Mom had many strikes against them, but with God’s help they allowed the very things that tried to defeat them, instead mold and make them into a man and woman of perseverance and character…I am eternally indebted to them for their example.
As I looked back over my own personal journey, memories of the painful hurdles, misunderstandings, rejections and losses came to mind. But then I look at myself today and KNOW that I would not be who I am today if these things had not happened. And even though it was painful, it has developed my perseverance, my character and given me hope. I’ll admit though, when things happen I still have the tendency to first whine, cower and even self pity may arise; but I am quickly reminded that because I have given my life to Christ, He has poured His love in my heart by His Holy Spirit, so I have the tools I need to get through..
This hope has helped me through some very devastating times. When I was a teenager, so idealistic and full of dreams and fantasy about life, there were things I said I would never survive if they would happen to me…and yet God has kept me and continued to give me hope that will never disappoint. He is a faithful God, and He will never leave or forsake you…and you can have peace with God.
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Veronica