Hope

I did not write this, it is by Holley Gerth, who is a writer from one of my favorite web sites, www.dayspring.com. I thought it was fitting for this time in my life and I'd like to share her wonderful thoughts. Get kleenex first, mom.

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Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:3-4

When I first read this verse I thought it had a typo.

Wasn't hope supposed to be first on the list?

After all, that's how the world often portrays it—as a fluffy feeling that lets us float through hard times.

But it turns out that's not the way it works in the Kingdom.

Suffering produces perseverance...

We all know what that's like—those are the days when we simply get up and put one foot in front of the other by faith when feelings are nowhere to be found.

Perseverance, character...

If we do that enough days in a row, it changes who we are because of all we learn about who He is in the middle of our circumstances.

And character, hope...

When who we are is transformed, hope comes to stay. Because we know in the core of our being that we can face anything with God.

Getting to a different kind of hope is a journey.

It doesn't happen all at once. It's the culmination of our hearts taking a thousand little steps of faith. And along the way choosing to say, "Yes, God, I will stick with you no matter what."

Real hope meets us where we expect it least and need it most.

So if life seems hard right now and you wonder how much longer you can go on, take heart...

Hope is already on the way.