An anchor of hope

Disappointment.  Call it what you will:  a difficult circumstance, an unanswered prayer, a deep sadness, misery, heartache. suffering.  It's inevitable. Not one human being escapes it. Not one of us can control it.  

However, we do have a choice. A choice in how we choose to handle and view the inevitable. Will we sulk? Will we throw a pity party? Will we become so disappointed that we turn away from those who have caused the pain, even turning away from those we love most or even worse, renouncing our faith in God? Or will we choose to rejoice?  Grow from the pain?  Cling to hope?

We rejoice in our sufferings,

 knowing that suffering 

produces endurance 

and endurance produces character, 

and character produces hope.  

And hope does not disappoint us 

because God has poured out his love 

into our hearts...

Romans 5:4-5

Hope does not disappoint. This hope is anchored in truth.  And the truth of the matter is that God loves us more than we could ever dare to dream or imagine. Hope is a gift. A gift of God's amazing grace. And as we experience God's love for us, our hope grows stronger.

This love is poured out.  It's more than just a gentle sprinkle over the surface of our hearts, but rather a rapid steady stream.   And if we simply allow that steady stream of love to continually quench the thirst within our hearts, then maybe, just maybe, disappointment would no longer take root.  We will be reminded of the hope we have in Christ.  The sadness may never melt away on this side of heaven, but He does promise to give us the strength to get through it.  He loves us too much not to.

As the writer of Hebrews says in chapter 6, I will take hold of the hope set before me.  This hope anchors my soul, firm and secure.

I heard this song for the first time tonight after I wrote this.  God's timing is perfect. I love how he ties everything together.   Listen:  Anchor by Hillsong Live