“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” — Romans 15:13 (NKJV)
I like the NLT of this verse which states, “ I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
God who gives hope through grace will fill us with all joy and peace as we believe in Him. The description of God as the God of hope relates to hope mentioned in the preceding verses of Chapter 15 and to the promises of God recorded in the Scriptures which give hope. Romans 15:4 says, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.”
Paul desired God to fill his readers with all joy and peace. Joy relates to the delight of anticipation in seeing one’s hopes fulfilled. Peace results from the assurance that God will fulfill those hopes (see Rom. 5:1; Phil. 4:7). Both of these are experienced as believers trust in Him (Heb. 11:1). As a result, believers overflow with hope from the power given by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 15:19).
So, let’s continue from last week’s blog answering the question, “How do we keep the fireworks of hope blazing when discouragement comes?”
In continuation…
Remember What God Has Already Done
One of the enemy’s favorite tactics is causing us to forget God’s previous faithfulness. Throughout Scripture, God’s people were repeatedly instructed to remember. Why? Because remembering fuels hope.
When David faced Goliath, he remembered the lion and the bear God had already delivered him from. Those past victories strengthened his confidence for the present battle.
Take a few moments today and reflect upon:
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• Prayers God has answered
• Doors He has opened
• Protection He has provided
• Relationships He has restored
• Growth He has produced in your life, etc., etc.
Your testimony is evidence that God remains active in your story. The same God who carried you through previous challenges will carry you through this one as well. Hold on to your hope.
Stay Connected to Other Believers
Discouragement thrives in isolation. God designed us to encourage one another. Hebrews 10:25 reminds believers not to forsake gathering together but to encourage one another.
Sometimes hope is reignited through a conversation with a trusted friend, a Bible study, a church service, a podcast, or a mentor who reminds us of God’s truth.
If you are feeling discouraged today, do not walk through it alone. Reach out. Ask for prayer. Connect with other believers who will speak life and truth into your situation.
Give God Your Crumbs
One of my favorite reminders comes from our blog “Give Him All Your Crumbs”. Sometimes life doesn’t look like abundance. Sometimes our dreams appear shattered. Sometimes our energy, faith, and confidence feel reduced to crumbs.
Yet Jesus specializes in multiplying what seems insufficient. He multiplied loaves and fish. He raised the dead. He restored the broken. What if instead of focusing on what you have lost, you offered God whatever remains? Even a small amount of hope placed in God’s hands can become something extraordinary. Do not underestimate what God can do with your crumbs.
Keep Your Eyes on Jesus
Ultimately, hope is not a feeling. Hope is a person—Jesus Christ. Hebrews 12:2 instructs us to look unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. When Peter walked on water, he remained above the waves as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus. The moment he focused on the storm, fear replaced faith.
Many of us are tempted to focus on the storm:
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The diagnosis.
The financial challenge.
The prodigal child.
The uncertain future.
Yet Jesus continues to invite us to look beyond the waves and focus on Him:
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He is still faithful.
He is still sovereign.
He is still good.
And He is still worthy of our trust.
Let Hope Blaze On
No matter how dark the night may appear, hope is never extinguished when it is anchored in Jesus Christ. Today, choose to feed your hope rather than your fears. Choose to remember His faithfulness. Choose to renew your mind with His Word. Choose to trust His promises. In doing so, no matter the level of discouragement, together we can let the fireworks of hope blaze brightly in our lives for His glory. Let’s go!
(Come back next week for an encouraging word from my husband, William.)
Paula is compassionately committed to biblically teach and mentor women who desire to be renewed in their minds by God’s eternal Word so their destinies will become a reality. She goes beyond sharing biblical principles to practical application for everyday living.
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