It lives on the edges of my mind, permeating everything I do. Without it, I’m sad, downcast, listless, feeling like my life doesn’t matter. But then hope walks in and changes everything.

Even David of the Bible recognized the power of hope. “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again–my Savior and my God!” (Psalm 42:5 nlt).

You may not think you believe in all that God stuff. But if you have hope, you have God, because He is the Author of hope.

Romans 15:13

I’ve learned that when I’m feeling down, I need to return to God. I may not think I’m so far from Him, but sometimes I’m like a child who runs off to play and keeps returning to his mom for reassurance before running off again. I just need to remind myself that God is near. As long as He’s in the picture, my hope still flickers, even in the most dismal circumstances.

Often, God uses other things or people to instill hope. But He’s still the Author of it. He may point me to a book to read, or a friend may say just the right thing at the right time, or I might find a website that offers the help I need. With God in charge of my life I’m never without hope. I can relax in the assurance that He’s behind the scenes working things out for my best.

No matter how bad my situation is, God is already there, using it for my good–to strengthen my character or increase my sympathy for others. He’s orchestrating an outcome that will bless me and He will be with me all the way. Hope holds all the potential your heart dreams of. It keeps moving you forward, one step at a time. It can never be overrated because its power is limitless, just like its Author.

My life verse speaks to the hope that sustains me through every curve life throws:

Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT) Photo courtesy of Air1 Radio.

Did you get that? God plans to give us hope. We are never hopeless with God. His plans for us are always good and they always include a hopeful future. Rest in that today. Look for sprouts of hope in your life. Nurture them so they’ll grow into a great big hope that holds you steady in tough times.

What gives you hope? Can you remember an instance when hope got you through a difficult time?