God of Hope
Romans 15:13 CEB
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in faith so that you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Deadlines looming, job demands and instability, financial insufficiency, children’s poor decisions, relationship discord, military deployment, the stress of social media distraction and comparisons, the fear of missing out, and more things to do than hours in a day. Sound familiar? This is the breeding ground for worry, anxiety, and fear.
Sweaty palms, racing pulse, headaches, butterflies in the stomach, difficulty concentrating, feeling overwhelmed—any or all of these symptoms could indicate worry, anxiety, or fear. I’ve experienced them all and more. I’ve felt so wrapped up in knots that I wasn’t sure I could get out of bed in the morning or that I even wanted to.
Worry, anxiety, and fear are considered the common cold of mental illness and are a direct path to losing our peace. I want you to know that it is possible for you, instead, to experience peace from the “God of hope” who Paul describes in Romans 15:13. It is possible to look worry, anxiety, and fear in the eye and laugh. It is possible to be content with where God has you, without needing to know His plan.
When difficult situations come, I desire to turn my back on worry, anxiety, and fear and retain my peace, trusting that God will the situation around for my good rather than feeling betrayed and abandoned by Him in the storm. Let this be our understanding too as well.
CONFESSION
You came so that I might have abundant life. You came to give me peace despite my situations and circumstances. I confess that I would leave my worries, anxieties, and fears with You and receive Your peace in their place
Amen!
