Two-minute read.
Paul mentions hope more in Romans than in any of his other letters. “God of hope” means the Creator who gives us hope through Jesus. Because of the Savior’s actions, we can look to tomorrow with anticipation of the coming glory. The Lord will accomplish all He wants to do through us, working out our problems. Trusting in the Almighty produces hope as we lean into His promises and expect them to come true in our lives. Believing in Christ gives us hope that His grace will continue to grow in our lives, with the help of the Holy Spirit, who prompts us.
When difficulties in life happen, we have a choice: we can become bitter or get better. Jesus, the Great Healer, wants us to overcome our struggles and allow Him to heal our hearts. None of us knows the battles we will face when we roll out of bed in the morning, but we do know the God who does. Before we enter a skirmish, Christ already knows how He will help us through it. In our pain, the Lord heals us. As we lay our hurts at the foot of the cross, divine comfort helps us persevere.
Often, we don’t consciously decide to become bitter; it grows from a small seed over time. When my father died, I became bitter, ruminating in self-pity. Feeling sorry for myself because I no longer had a dad, I became resentful of anyone who did. The more I thought about what I didn’t have, the more bitter I became. Returning to Jesus, He began the healing process in me, removing the bitter root and replacing it with His love.
Let Paul’s prayer sink into your spirit. Allow God to fill you with all joy and peace, believing His promises and letting the Holy Spirit’s power help hope abound.
Journal Questions:
Describe how God’s promises give you hope?
When have you had to battle bitterness in your life?
How can Jesus heal your heart today?
Joyful Application:
Pray for people in your life who need hope and that they become better, not bitter.
