Tag: joy

Abounding in Hope

This world is full of disappointments, heartaches and sadness. Wouldn’t it be great to have hope?! How about to be abounding in hope?

Abounding means to have or possess in great quantity, existing in or providing a great or plentiful quantity or supply.

I do not know your situation or what you have been dealing with, but God knows. There have been times in my life when I have felt a sense of hopelessness, stemming from helplessness. I think we all go through it at one time or another. The important thing to note, is to NOT stay in the state or feeling of hopelessness. Easy to say, but harder to do.

How can you and I find hope? The world shifts under our feet, people let us down, we let people down, life is hard. Can someone just tell me how?!

“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.” Romans 15:13 (NKJV)

God has the answer. in fact, He IS the answer. He IS a God of hope and He fills His children with hope. Filled, not just a tiny quantity…but abounding in hope! He knows we need it to survive and thrive here. Not that all of our problems magically disappear but it puts them in a brighter perspective, knowing that God IS in control.

We are given a hope that does not disappoint, because this hope comes from Gods love directly poured into our hearts, it is a hope that helps us hold on and endure hardships and pain.

“Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:5 (NKJV)

When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and we walk with God, we receive within us, the power of the Holy Spirit.

After Jesus was resurrected and ascended to heaven, a Helper was given to all believers. Look up John 16:5-15 and see the Power believers are given!

The Holy Spirit was given to us by God to help us. If we choose to allow the Holy Spirit to guide and help; we can experience joy and peace during our darkest times. He will walk with us through our troubles, sorrows and heartaches.

We need to hold on to hope. There will come a day when all will be made right and evil will be defeated and forever erased!

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, as the former things have passed away.” Revelations 21:4 (NKJV)

May you abound in the hope of God, and may He fill you with His peace and joy.

Laughter

I was feeding my grandson, Kaleb some carrots. He really likes them! I was giving him a bite and my face was close to his. We were deep in conversation as he enjoyed his lunch. He was making faces and smiling at me. That’s when it happened…

No time for me to react. As he smiled so sweetly at me, he sneezed. A BIG sneeze. Aaaa, ahhh….choo! Carrots went flying all over my face! I was covered with orange carrot freckles & baby spit!

I just had to laugh. I laughed so much my belly hurt. It makes me think of all the blessings I have in my life. All the times I can choose joy!

“A man (or woman) has joy by the answer of his (or her) mouth and a word spoken in due season , how good it is!” Proverbs 15:23

How we react to situations effects the outcome. I know this situation is silly, is light and invokes laughter. How can I not laugh. Kaleb had the biggest grin..not knowing what was so funny. Buy Grammy was laughing and that made us both happy.

Sometimes things happen to us during our day and perhaps we react in anger or another emotion and that makes us miss the moment to speak or react in JOY.

JOY, JOY, JOY…I choose to speak and react with JOY