Radiating with hope in Christ

Hope is a curious thing. When things are going well we can see past our daily activities with hope. At different moments like a wedding, birth, or graduation we have hope that gives us strength to persevere. Unfortunately, life isn’t always full of hope-filled circumstances with pain and setbacks plaguing all of us. Hope can at times feel elusive.

Jesus came to set all mankind free, and to bring hope to those in the most desperate need for it. God is interested in being with us in our rough points to comfort us and remind us of what is true. He is the God of hope.

For myself, I have walked through pain and suffering while learning to lean on the one who is unchanging. He made a way for all of us to be comforted. He not only wants us comforted (The Holy Spirit is called the “Comforter” for this very reason), but He also wants us to hope. When God gets involved with our hearts, we can have hope again.

God longs to bring hope to hopeless situations, healing where there is brokenness and joy where there has been pain. We do ask God to intervene, and most importantly we can have hope when He gets involved, not just in the circumstance, or our understanding, but our heart.

The Apostle Paul talked a lot about hope, “Now may God, the inspiration and fountain of hope, fill you to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust in him. And may the power of the Holy Spirit continually surround your life with his super-abundance until you radiate with hope!” (Romans 15:13 The Passion Translation)

Our hope is in Christ, and the work the Holy Spirit does in us as we walk out our lives to His glory.

I pray you are encouraged to hope again, to heal some more, and to invite God to work in your heart as well as your circumstances as you are filled with peace and radiate with hope!

Chris Bassett is the senior leader at Harvest Valley Worship Center, a refuge for healing and a launchpad for transformation. He can be reached at hvwc.com.