"And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Romans 5:5 NIV
Have you ever been disappointed to the point where you were afraid to hope again? I have. There were times in my life and journey with my struggling children that I lost all hope. The circumstances were so dire and dark that I felt even the smallest thread of hope would end in certain disappointment.
When we focus on our circumstances and the actions of others, it is easy to lose hope. We fix our eyes on what's happening around us, not what God is doing IN us and THROUGH us under the influence of the Holy Spirit.
Choosing to hope requires we look deeper into the intricate work, the details, of what the Lord is doing to change us from the inside out. He calls us to examine our hearts and allow his transformation to take place.
The truth is that our broken hearts cannot hope without first being hurt and disappointed. Actually, more like devastated. As the Holy Spirit cuts away at our past hurts, our false pride that believes we can handle this by ourselves. our unrealistic expectations, and our need to know the outcome before we allow ourselves a smidgen of hope, he creates a yielding heart that is open to his best plan, not our desired outcome.
Hope begins when we trust in the love of God. We trust in his plan and purpose. We readjust our focus, from an externally focused mind and heart, to one that is focused inward and upward.
Our Lord is more than able to peel away the layers of shame and disappointment to reveal a heart capable of hoping again. He understands what it feels like to want something so badly and to be left wanting when our hopes are shattered.
The Holy Spirit gently pours the healing balm of God’s love over our hearts. He reminds us that our Lord’s eyes are always on us. They are careful to not stray from the ones we love the most.
And in that love we are never disappointed. We are free to hope again.
Lord,
We hope in you and in your plan because we can trust in your unfailing love. Work in us and through us. Cut deep, Lord, into our hearts that have become hardened by the callouses of one disappointment after another. Soften our hearts so we can see the wonderful work you are doing to transform us. We put our trust in you and you alone.
Amen.
Beautiful Blessings, Dawn
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