Hope

2 Timothy 1:7 – For God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline. (ASV)

I have changed jobs a few times over the years. In each case, there was some reason I chose to resign from that position. The older I get, the harder I find the interviews for a new job. And yet, at the same time, I know I can't stay at my old job. The hope of a new job, which I would like better or which would have better work conditions, is what spurs me on and helps me through those tough interviews. I find that change is also more difficult as I grow older. Adjusting to a new boss, new co-workers, and new responsibilities is progressively harder as well. But there is always the hope of something better.

In our lives, we go through changes. We go through hard times. Sometimes we get stuck in an old habit, an old hang-up. Then, we see a ray of hope somewhere. It could be that we see a change in someone else's life, and we inquire what worked for them. It could be counselling, or a recovery program, or a number of things. With that little ray of hope, we pursue something that will help us. It is hard at times. We face issues in our lives that we don't necessarily want to look at. And yet, the hope that things will improve is what encourages us to keep on. It may take a short time or a long time, but the light at the end of the tunnel begins to grow bigger and bigger. Our hope increases, and eventually, we have come out into the sunlight once again.

Sometimes, our habits and hang-ups are very comfortable. We don't always like change in those areas, and yet, we know that we are stuck. Change is a good thing — even though the unknown is scary. Let's not shy away from working through the hard things in our lives. Let's step through the fear and pursue the hope that God has given us.

Psalm 31:24 – Be strong, be courageous, all you that hope in the Lord. (GNB)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we come to You filled with fear — fear of the unknown, fear of changing, even fear of staying where we are. And yet, we know that something is wrong in our hearts. Help us, we pray, to trust You as we take those steps to health. We cling to Your Word that You have given us the spirit of power and love and discipline. You tell us to be strong and courageous. Oh, how we need You today! Amen.

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