HOPE For a moment or perhaps a long while

HOPE

For a moment or perhaps a long while, sometimes in our life we
are dropped into the depths of despair, a tragedy or sickness of
intense proportions may fall upon us. In the darkness we struggle
with difficult and often confusing feelings.

As Christians we often feel guilty about these feelings. All are
true human emotions, and necessary in enabling us to cope.
God understands our pain and our suffering. He knows we have
questions and doubts.

He will wrap his loving arms around us,
He will be there when no one else can.
After a time we begin to feel his presence.
You can see a faint light in the distance.
This is the light of HOPE.

Moving toward the light -The Holy Spirit takes us by the
hand and helps us to move even closer to the light. The
light of the Lord that shines into each of our lives.
Here in The Lords loving presence our souls and
our wounds begin to heal.

God has a plan for us and we can rest assured that we
have been called here for a purpose. No one was put on
earth by accident. Our job is not yet finished.

We must continue to move forward.
We might not understand the sequence of events in our
lives. We might not understand the meaning of our suffering
in times of health problems or death of a loved one or even
during financial difficulties...

But we have not lost everything ......we are not alone.
We will always have HOPE.
Remember that Hope was born
His name is Jesus.
And Hope does live on...even when things are so tough...

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Philippians 4:4 – “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.”

Happiness comes from outside circumstances. Joy comes from within. So it’s cruel to say to people who are in
sorrow, “Smile, and be happy.” Better to come alongside and mourn with them, then to try and force the square
peg of happiness into a round peg of sorrow. The human life is a life of tragedy, sorrow, heartache, and pain.
Yet in every difficulty, you can find joy. Happiness is an outside job. Joy is an inside job.

There is someone in a nursing home that longs for that joy. Find some time this week to bring the joy of the
Lord to them.

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Almighty God, whose loving hand has given us all that we possess; grant us grace that we may honor You with
our substance, and remembering the account which we must one day give, may be faithful stewards of Your
bounty; through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.