May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
The God of Hope
Breathe that in for just a moment: The God of Hope. In recent times in my life, I have been stuck in situations that have felt hopeless.
Whether. it is family drama or a frustrating working environment, the hopelessness of never getting out of these situations leads, for me at least, to a critical spirit.
My mind becomes consumed with the actions of others and not my own. I become self-righteous, and can easily spiral down into bitterness.
But this is due to my actions, my striving for perfection that only leads to disappointment because I am seeking to do things on my own.
God did not design us for self-inclusivity. He designed us for union and communion with Him. When we strive to create our own peace and joy we fall short, twisting into our worst selves.
Peace and joy are not things we can create on our own, but instead are gifts freely given by a God who truly loves us, despite our flaws. Realizing this allows us to lay our situations at the feet of God’s throne. It allows us to pray without ceasing, talking one on one with a Father who actually really cares about our daily lives and struggles.
It plucks us away from the spiral of bitterness and opens our hearts to the peace, joy, and hope that only the Holy Spirit can deliver within us. It goes beyond our understanding and instead just is… the minute we let go of our control and allow God to reign in our lives.
What is the situation you are striving alone in? Is it stressful, has it made you critical and bitter? Do you feel lost and confused by it all?
Pray over it. Let God in on your life and. be amazed at what can change when He is in control.
Prayer
Lord, you are the Alpha and the Omega. You created this world and me in it. You allowed for these situations for Your purpose. Open my eyes to see your hand working in them all. Lord, help me to let go of my frustrations and the critical spirit that I feel rising within me. O God give me Your peace that goes beyond understanding, fill me with joy when I am in Your presence. Help me see the good, help me to be a light here, and help me be wise and discerning on what I should do or say. Thank you, Lord, for your mercies that are new each day. Forgive me for trying to walk alone and making a muck of things. Please walk beside me, guide me, teach me your paths and show me your ways. In Jesus’ Precious and Holy Name. Amen.
