God is the Source of Hope

Kenisha Stanley, Pastoral Care Intern, CTCA/Eastern Regional Medical Center

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire is fulfilled it is the tree of life." Proverbs 13:12

The maker of your heart knows exactly what you need. He designed you to be satisfied by Him. Only He can fulfill the desires you have for a life of complete happiness and wholeness. So, when you're feeling inadequate, lonely, abandoned and forsaken by all, He will provide your heart with the hope you need to prevail in His name.

As a believer, you have reason to hope: hope in life fulfilled in the presence of the Lord, hope in the promises of God, and hope that He will complete what He has started in you.

Though evil may endure during this present age, God’s righteousness will prevail through eternity. On a micro scale, you can have hope that God will provide food for tomorrow’s breakfast or gasoline in that tank of your car.

But on a larger scale, why not hope for what only God can give? Like peace when everything around you is falling apart, joy when darkness is your silhouette during the day. God will be faithful to supply all of your needs, even your emotional needs. God is a god of understanding. He’s compassionate and sympathetic. He feels the pain of His creation. You’ve never experienced an ache that He hasn’t been able to feel or even heal. He’s considerate of your heart. He knows what you need before you even need it. He cares, and He will meet your needs if you allow Him.

Allow these scriptures to minister to your situation and encourage your heart:
• Lam. 3:24 “The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore I will hope in him.”

• Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.

• Psalm 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

• Psalm 33:18 Behold the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy.

• Psalm 31:24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.