“Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer." Romans 12:12
On September 10, 2019, I taught a University of Nebraska college freshman class. I asked the students what was the next day. One student said 9/11; another student said Patriot Day. Both were correct. While preparing for the class, I guessed that all of the students were born after 9/11 or at least none were old enough to remember that tragic day. The students confirmed that but they did know the importance of the day.
I recall that my daughter-in-law stated at the time of 9/11 “I refuse to live in fear.” We all have a choice about how we face adversity. We can listen for God’s direction in difficult times. We can offer words of encouragement to those we meet along life’s path.
Mary Pipher, when speaking at Eastridge Presbyterian Church, affirmed, “Today, we need healers, people who try to make broken things work.” Mary continued, “We want to give hope that there are solutions to many of the difficult situations that families face.”
Hope is a positive spiritual force with the power to pull us through difficult times. Hope comes as a gift from God through grace. As stated in 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17, “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.”
G. K. Chesterton stated, “Hope is the power of being cheerful in circumstances that we know to be desperate.” Hope gives energy and focus. Through hope, we look forward, confident and with expectation.
Prayer: Dear God, help me choose to live, not in fear, but with the hope only you can give. Remind me that as you give me courage and hope, I can encourage others.
Lois Poppe
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