And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Romans 5:3‭-‬5 (KJV).‬‬

REFLECT:
The reality of hope or being hopeful is something that as human beings we have been imbued with. This rare gift of being able to express hope is a characteristic that has been divinely furnished in our DNA by God our Creator to help us function and live through trying times and situations.

However, the extent we go through our times of trials, persecutions, or tribulations and expect hope to keep us alive and bring us through to the other side victorious as overcomers will depend on where our hope is anchored.

A lot of us go through turbulent times and come out with our expectations dashed to pieces. We become hopeless, ashamed, and disillusioned, while others find that hope is usually fleeting and not a regular occurrence in their case or situation. In discovering why this is the case we need to re-evaluate our stand on this whole aspect of ‘Hope.’ This would mean asking ourselves the following questions: ‘who or what have we been putting our hope in? what have been the fruit(s) or results of our expectations from these experiences? and, how can we positively redirect our Hope or expectations? How can we find true hope, the kind that liberates, delivers, and does not make us ashamed?

Unfortunately, so many of us hinge our hope or expectations on the temporal, that is being based on earthly expectations. We look up to people and objects to always meet our needs, fill up that void and think they can give us the future expectation that we so desire. However, this is never the case because earthly things will always disappoint us. Earthly prerogatives are fleeting, and at best can last for only a short period.

People are only human and flawed too. While objects, possessions, wealth, etc are inanimate and cannot last or stand the test of time. These all leave our hopes or expectations to wade through quicksand, which is futile! What then is the solution one may ask? Our Bible verse for today gives us the answer. We need to have a redirection of our thinking and actions by lifting our eyes to the only one who can help us keep our hopes alive and give us the intended expectations that we so desire.

It is only God Almighty who can achieve this most needed desire for us. It is in Him that our deepest hopes can be found or realized. He has promised in His word as we read today that when we put our trust in Him and His ways as we steadfastly hope on Him, we shall never be put to shame, never be disappointed or discouraged.

This means that when we build our hope and expectations on God through His Son Jesus, the outcome of our expectations will always be rewarding, fulfilling, and encouraging. This should be the kind of mindset we must always adopt when we go through trying and hard times. It is only when we give ourselves to this truth that we can truly be set free and liberated.

Anchoring our deepest hopes on God, especially, in times of trials, troubles, and tribulation, holding on to His promises, and never giving up, will always bring the results we need. This is because God’s love is poured out more intensely in these times of our greatest needs by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Ebimobo W. Obasi

PLEASE PRAY ALONG:

Help Me Persevere in Hope.

Dear LORD JESUS, you chose to suffer on the cross for the sake of the world, and because of Your suffering, I can spend eternity with you. Thank you for showing me what it looks like to suffer well and became victorious in Hope. LORD, I owe you a debt of gratitude for being my source of hope. When I encounter trials of any kind, please use those moments to refine my character and to keep my heart focused on you. In your name, we pray AMEN.