Long Lost Thoughts of Hope

(Begin with 1-2 minutes of silence)

Colossians 3:1 …set your sights on the realities of heaven…

What is one hope you have today? For this month? For this year? 

Sadly, many people do not often consider their hopes. The challenges and disappointments of life lead some to think, If I don’t hope for anything, then I won’t experience disappointment as often. So why hope? 

Unfortunately, this mindset doesn’t work. In her book Atlas of the Heart, a book which explores the many different emotions people feel and experience, author and researcher Brené Brown notes that disappointment is one of the most common emotions people feel. This is because we all have expectations — even very simple expectations — which don’t get met. When they don’t get met, we feel disappointment. When we feel disappointment, we set our hopes aside. The cycle continues until disappointment is rampant and hopes are few. 

The simple reality is this: you have deep hopes within you. Some may be simple hopes (e.g., A husband indicating he hopes for a date night with his wife soon,) but others are profound hope which can be experienced only in Christ. 

READING & PRAYERS:

     COLOSSIANS 3:1-4, MATTHEW 6:33  (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)

QUESTION: What is one deep, passionate hope you have? When will you take a moment to sit in the presence of Christ to experience the fulfillment of this hope? 

PRACTICE: Begin sharing at least one hope with somebody else every day this week. Continue this practice daily. As you do so, you’ll discover the beauty and wonder of having a life more deeply rooted in hope.  

Take a Step: Practice listening to God by utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice a day.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I recognize that if I were to pay close attention to how often I share a personal hope, it may be a lot less often than I would’ve guessed. Help me grow into a person who not only has hope, but one who shares those hopes with others on a regular basis. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

(End with 1-2 minutes of silence.)