Hope. We all need it. Hunt for it. Grab onto it in our times of greatest need. But what exactly is it? For this word, I’ve dug back into my favorite old dictionary, Webster’s 1828. It says, “Hope is a desire of some good, accompanied with at least a slight expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable. Hope differs from wish and desire in this, that it implies some expectation of obtaining the good desired, or the possibility of possessing it.”

So, hope is desire. It’s belief. Expectation. It’s what we need to persevere.

One of my favorite scriptures is found in Romans 15:13: “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

The God of hope. Overflowing, abundant hope filling me so I can pass it on to others. Connection is what helps. How can I find this confidence?

1. Seek God. Since He’s the God of hope, I need to ask. Sometimes, He’ll point us toward a scripture, or song, or send a word of encouragement from a friend. God knows our needs and desires to fill us with more of Himself.
2. Stay connected. I tend to isolate myself when life is tough. Since God often helps us by sending people, we need to be reachable. Don’t hide from family, friends, church, or community groups.
3. Speak up. If people ask how I am and I always say, “Fine,” how will they know? Find safe people and talk to them about what you’re going through. And it’s okay to go to a therapist or counselor. I have and it’s helped me tremendously.
4. Be patient. Part of my struggles with hope result from my impatience. I want it all. Yesterday. And waiting is tough when it deals with my chosen career, relational issues, or times of crisis. I have to believe God hears and He has a plan.
5. Not everything I hope for is good for me or part of God’s plan. I hope, in a wishful kind of way, that someone would build a coffee shop next door to my house. But that wouldn’t be good for my health or finances. God sees and knows all.

To find hope, I seek God, stay connected, speak up, be patient, and surrender. God has so many ways to bring hope into our lives, starting with His Son, who came into the world to save us and one day bring us home with Him.

Our ultimate hope.

Do you struggle with any of the five ways to connect with hope I mentioned above?

Click to tweet: A Smidgen of Hope: Connection: To find hope, I seek God, stay connected, speak up, be patient, and surrender. #faith #TuesdayThoughts