Guest Devotion – Hope is More Than Just a Feeling, Despite Our Illness’ Disappointments

“Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord.” (Psalm 31:24)

How the usage of the word “hope” has changed. Now we say “I hope so” when it’s an uncertain thing. We just “hope” that maybe thing will turn out okay.

In Scripture (according to Strong’s Concordance), the Hebrew words for hope means the following.
1. to wait, hope, expect
a. (Niphal) to wait
b. (Piel)
1. to wait, await, tarry
2. to wait for, hope for
c. (Hiphil) to wait, tarry, wait for, hope for

I rarely say – “I am waiting for it to happen!” or “I expect that it will happen!” It’s usually more of a “maybe it will happen” kind of thing.

How differently the Scriptural meanings make me view the words “those who hope in the Lord.” God wants us to wait expectantly. While the answer may tarry – the answer will come – and it will be the perfect answer. It may not seem so at the time. That is where we need to be strong and let our heart take courage.

I often “think” more than I “feel” things. I can tell myself that something will happen – the words coming from my thoughts. How much different it is to have that confident hope in my heart.

We who deal with chronic conditions often feel we have no hope. We might be thinking the worst. The diagnosis is a dreaded one. We may feel we do not have the strength to go on. Chaos may seem like it is reigning in our lives.

Yet, there is a place to put our hope that will not fail us. Somehow, someway, God will prevail. It’s not a maybe. It’s a certainty, if our hope is in God. If we place it anywhere else, it is misplaced and turns into that dreaded, fearful “maybe. . . ”

With God it is a certainty. Our hope in Him is not misplaced. We can count on it.

Can you hold this in your heart?

I hope so.

About the Author:
Deni believes that the only true way to deal with chronic pain and chronic illness is to bring them to the feet of her Lord and Savior. Her multiple challenges (Ankylosing Spondylitis, Porphyria, Celiac Sprue, and Atrial Fibrillation to name a few) have taught her many things about herself and her Christian walk. It is her fondest desire that her lessons may be helpful to others as they walk the path of chronic health challenges. She can be reached at EncouragingWords@me.com. Her website is http://www.pathwaysforchange.com/Encouragement

posted on Rest Ministries   

http://restministries.com/2010/11/10/devotion-hope-is-more-than-just-feeling-despite-our-illness-disappointments/