Friends-
We all need hope.  It is a gift from God that keeps us going when we want to quit.  A few thoughts...

" 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord,'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' "  God speaking through the prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 29:11)

"... we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit..."  Paul the apostle (Romans 5:3-5)

"For in this hope we were saved.  But hope that is seen is no hope at all.  Who hopes for what they already have?  But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."  Paul again (Romans 8:24,25)

Hope is a longing for an improved situation.  Without it, we are hope-less, we despair.  Isn't it interesting that trials themselves can be the source of hope? We may all get to the point of despair at times, but we must remember that it is a lie- there is always hope!  God never lets us down!  It may seem he has, or feel like we are all alone in the bottom of a deep hole, but we are not.  God is with us, even there, and wants to give us hope, to buoy us up and into the light again.

Hope is not wishful thinking.  It is a powerful gift that keeps us moving forward.
Ask God to fill you with His hope!

Have a great week!
Gary