In his book “Undaunted Courage,” Steve Ambrose details the 2-year journey of Lewis and Clark in the early 1800’s. They faced unbelievable difficulties, unfamiliar territory, hunger, heat, cold, exhaustion, desertions, enemies, illness and death. When they finally reached the Continental Divide, according to the best information available to them, they expected to carry their canoes and gear for about ½ day to arrive at the headwaters of the Columbia River, which would give them easy passage to the Pacific Ocean. However, Lewis left the team and climbed the bluffs to survey what lay before them, and to his shock and dismay he saw before him the Rocky Mountains. What do you say to the team when you return? They are going to have to strap all their equipment on their backs and climb the mountain. They will have to dig deeper than they ever knew they could and find strength they didn’t know they had. All they know is they have to climb the biggest mountain they’ve ever seen. We all face mountains sometimes, the great unknown. It might be financial pressures, relational challenges, vocational difficulties, or spiritual problems. Why do some face mountains and feel defeated while other approach the mountains with a resilient spirit? We need to develop some skills and attitudes that will allow us to face the future with optimism.

Scripture
Nu 11:15; Ps 42:5-6; Pr 4:23, 24:16; Mt 19:26; Ro 15:13

Verses
May God, the source of hope, fill you with all joy and peace by means of your faith in him, so that your hope will continue to grow by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Ro 15:13) Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God! (Ps 42:5-6)

Thought
As a follower of Jesus Christ you must take responsibility for hope in your life. There’s no such thing as hopeless. Living with a habit of hope keeps you close to God. Hope helps you face each day with anticipation, joy and gratitude. We aren’t talking about the power of positive thinking. We are talking about resilient faith. When you put your hope in a good, all-knowing, all-powerful God, you have hope because he is accessible and available. Remember you will fail. Failure is essential to the learning process. Proverbs 24:16 says the godly trip, but they get up! When you trust in God, he will lift you up. Learn from those experiences. Ask God what he wants to teach you? You gain strength and grow through times of failure. Limiting your negative intake is essential to maintaining hope. Negativity will drag you down. In order to keep your hope tank full, you must spend time with God…in worship, Christian fellowship, Scripture, prayer. Worship is a great weapon against negativity. Worship reminds you how amazing God is. It breathes life into you and helps guard your heart. In worship you gain perspective and courage to face the mountains in life. It’s a choice you make every day! Choose God, choose hope, and view your future as one filled with God’s presence and power.

Questions
Is there a hope you are holding onto, that needs to be reassessed? Have you observed others cling to a long gone hope and allow it to derail their future? What hopes are you holding onto today? What is the biggest mountain you have climbed? Do you have a mountain before you now? How is your hope for the future? How do you respond to someone who always looks at the negative side of every situation?

Response
If you are low on hope, refuel. Worship, pray, read Scripture, share time with Christian friends who find hope in Christ. Choose hope every day.

Pray
Dear Lord, help me not to grow lazy and forsake the fuel that fires my hope! Help me to worship and praise you through all I do and say. Thank you for each new day. Help me to choose hope! In Jesus Name I pray, amen.