What thoughts keep you up at night? What things twist and gnaw at your gut? It might be wasted years, a financial mess, a health crisis, a loss, or a burden you carry for someone else. Maybe you think about future uncertainties and all that is beyond your control. There are many burdens that we carry and heartaches we endure. The past 6 weeks have been rough. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” In order to move forward and live our lives with purpose and determination we need hope! Sometimes hope seems distant; it can ebb away like a slow leak, leaving us discouraged. We need to put our hope in something reliable, someone reliable, something that will last! Scripture says, “My hope comes from him (God).” (Ps 62:5) “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” Ps 118:8

Scripture – Ps 42:5-6; Ps 62:1-2, 5-8, 11-12; Jer 29:11; Jonah 2:7; Ro 8:28; 1 Co 10:13

Verses
He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah. (Ps 62:6-8) More than once I have heard God say that power belongs to him and that his love is constant. (Ps 62:11-12) Find rest, O my soul, in God alone. My hope comes from him. (Ps 62:5)

Thought
When we face a tough situation or crisis, we often panic first. “Oh no! This was not expected. What should I do?” We quickly segue into self-pity… “Why does everything bad happen to me? Poor me!” Then pessimism sets in. “Everything is falling apart! I might as well expect the worst.” Although this is one way to handle difficulties, God has a better way! Don’t panic! Ps 62 says, “He is my rock. I will never be shaken.” When your equilibrium is disrupted lean on God. He is your stability! Don’t allow self-pity to set in! Ps 62 says, “…pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.” When life is unhinged, look to God for salvation and refuge, pour yourself out to Him. Sometimes it’s a one-word prayer, “HELP!” You will find help and hope. Don’t let pessimism overtake you! Ps 62:11-12 says, “More than once I have heard God say that power belongs to him and that his love is constant.” Listen to God. Prayer is not simply a litany of requests, it is also quieting yourself and listening to what God has to say. He will encourage your heart. Ps 42:5-6 “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!” Hope in God is not misplaced. God will not leave us; God will not forsake us! (Heb 13:5) Hope is…holding on praying expectantly.

Questions
Are you more hopeful or pessimistic by nature? Who is the most hopeful person you know? Explain. Describe, without naming the most pessimistic person you know. How do you hold on to hope when times are discouraging? What happens to a person who loses hope? Do you read your Bible and pray every day? If so, how does that contribute to your level of hope?

Response
Make a daily practice of reading your Bible and praying. In times of trouble, lean on God for stability, look to God for salvation and refuge, and listen to God for direction. Write down the Scriptures that encourage you so that you can quickly turn to them when you need a hope infusion.

Pray
Lord, you are the God of all hope! Help me to fully place my hope, my confidence and my security in you, and not in things or people or in myself. Help me to rest in your power and love, knowing that you want good things for me. I place my life and my plans in your care. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen!