“And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us”
(Romans 5:3-5).
What causes us to lose hope? It could be rebellious children, our young adults wandering from the faith or a disappointing marriage. Some of us are discouraged by declining health, a career that has turned sour or oppressive, worsening financial pressures or singleness when we long to be married. There are so many issues that threaten our grip on hope.
The account of Hannah’s life reveals the constant sorrow and trouble this godly woman endured. (1 Samuel 1) She is described as childless, downhearted, continually provoked by a rival, bitter in soul, misunderstood and accused. Yet we discover she did not lose her grasp on hope. What was her secret?
Prayer was a regular part of her life. Hannah never stopped talking things over with her heavenly Father and listening to His hopeful words. Great faith sustained her. Because of her faith, she held onto God even in bitterness of soul. By clinging to Him, she held onto her hope. She determined to persevere in prayer and faith. No matter how hard life became or how long her difficulty lasted, she continued to pray and worship God, seeking Him for the solution. She had a spirit of sacrifice. She was willing to do whatever the Lord asked in order to make her hope a reality. With that in mind, she pledged to God her firstborn – the child for whom she had yearned and prayed.
Is your grip on hope loosening? Have you lost sight of the hope you once had? Learn Hannah’s secret and practice it. Then watch hope come to life again.
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About the Author
This article was written by Charles Stanley. You can read more about this author by clicking this link:
http://www.talk.thelife.com/charles-stanley/
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