3/5/09

Hope

This year has been a pretty rough year for a number of reasons. I won't go into detail, but the other day I sent an email out to two of my greatest friends- Hannah and Celeste (we have been close friends since high school and still keep in touch, sending one another emails a few times a week). I was having a rough week, so I spilled my guts in this email...laid it all on the line and explained everything that seemed to be going wrong. Of course they emailed me back right away with great advice :) Celeste had mentioned having hope and an open heart. So today I decided to look through scripture for verses on hope. One that really stuck out to me is Romans 5:3-5:

"And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."

My Bible has excellent footnotes and broke the verses down like this:

When we (as believers) go through tough times, hope of receiving what God has promised grows stronger. And, we know that hope of great future blessings will not turn out to be false, because the Holy Spirit lays God's love on our hearts.

Though it is difficult, I am trying to be hopeful. To place my hope in Christ and not material things. I am sure that if I can hold on to this hope and surround my life in it, things will begin to become easier to handle.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Danielle! I check your blog every now and then. I recently lost my job due to this crappy economy so your post was really something I needed to read and remember! Take care!

Keena Bauer
(Nate's cousin that lives in Omaha)

Anonymous said...

God is so smart and wonderful. He always has a way to open our eyes to his truth when we most need it. I love you!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for commenting, Keena! We'll keep you guys in our thoughts and prayers :) Hope to see you at a family shin-dig sometime soon!

Tracy said...

I am SO sorry that you are having a difficult time! :o) You are spot on with HOPE! It is one of the only things that has truly kept me going the last month and a half. I will pray for you for strength and understanding. I am sure I owe you more than one or two!

Amy said...

We LOVE you Danielle!!!

Amy, Pat, & Deni