What is hope? The authors explain here:
"Hope is not optimism based on positive circumstances. Hope is the ability to believe in the good when things are bad. 'Hope means hoping when things are hopeless or it is no virtue at all. It is only when things are hopeless that hope begins to be a strength' (G.K. Chesterton). Hope is an undefeated forward look.
Christian hope is facing the present reality with confidence in future good because of God's action in Jesus Christ. Hope is living now, knowing that God is preparing something better. Hope expects God to take what's painful and mysterious and turn it ultimately into eternal good (see Rom. 8:24-25). Hope also prevents us from getting comfortable when all is well."
The authors go on to tell us where we can find hope...in Christ, in the gospel, in God's promises, in the Holy Spirit and in Christ's return. I thought I'd share what the authors say about how the Holy Spirit sustains our hope:
"The Holy Spirit does not let us focus on what is wrong or painful. He consistently points us to Jesus, who is our source of hope. The spirit works to reproduce the character of Jesus in us, genuinely transforming us. The hope provided by the Spirit is not a trickle, but a constant stream, so that we 'overflow with hope.' That doesn't mean we ignore life's realities or turn a blind eye to serious issues. It means having an undefeated forward look because the Holy Spirit is present and at work in us."
'An undefeated forward look'...I love that. Hope always looks forward, not back. :)
Click HERE for Part 1 of C is for Christmas
Click HERE for Part 2 of C is for Christmas: Bethlehem
Click HERE for Part 3 of C is for Christmas: Xmas
Click HERE for Part 4 of C is for Christmas: The Word
Click HERE for Part 5 of C is for Christmas: King
Click HERE for Part 6 of C is for Christmas: Peace
So thankful for the Spirit's work in me.
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