What do you hope for? Make a list. Now cross out every hope that God did not inspire. If you hope your neighbor steps in a mud puddle cross that one off.
Some of our hopes are so clearly from God. If you have heard God's voice then you know you have something solid to hope in. One time I heard "let it go" when I was praying to restore my business. I was shocked! But then I knew to put my hope in moving on instead of holding on.
Some things on my personal hope list are, happy healthy grandchildren, wonderful jobs for my children, loving marriages... Pretty basic stuff. Yet, all God's ideas. All good things. Obviously this is my prayer list.
My hope list also includes guidance. That's a biggie. That I will be guided by the Holy Spirit. I hope I can learn to trust. And that all those on my prayer list will hear the guiding voice of our loving heavenly father. And that rebellion will gently fall away in the hope of God's goodness.
But I think it would be fun to make another list. "Hopes that Happened". Because we easily forget about those. One time I hoped for a little doggie that would want to cuddle with me. And he is on my lap right now. Looking at this list makes my heart leap with joy. It feels like love. It is ok to be happy.
And to those hopes that didn't happen, God asks us to be patient. He asks us to trust him anyway. The story is not over. Because ultimately our biggest hope is in heaven.
Hebrews 11:1- Faith is the substance of things HOPED for.
Romans 12:12 Be JOYFUL IN HOPE. patient in affliction, Prayerful always.
1 Thessalonians 5:16 Always be joyful and don't stop praying.
In other words, don't stop believing, and, get this party started!
