Hello and welcome dear friends! 

I propose that all of us have a hope story. The root of our hope story is the expectation of Christ’s fulfillment of his promised salvation. This story is filled with anticipation of life with God, our Father. Being reunited with Him, living in His presence, as it was in the days of Eden. We have every reason to hope, keep our courage, and remain confident in our hope in Christ’s promise!

There are other hope stories. Very personal stories living deep in our hearts. Consider this: every time you look to Jesus for help, believe he distinctly hears your voice, and wait confidently for him to act, you are making a declaration of hope.

Jesus said we’d have trouble in this world. That’s a promise I wish wasn’t true. Yet, disaster, crisis, grief, and sorrow reveal the hope held in our soul.

How appropriate that Jesus proclaimed God’s promises as Good News!

I want to share a bit of my hope story. The last seven months have been tumultuous. In May, my husband and I moved from Ohio to South Carolina. I started a new job. Shortly after our move, my dear sweet pup of 15 years passed away. My heart felt the absence intensely. Then, in August my mother died very unexpectedly and my grief deepened. Doubt about the move and transition tried to take root. Then, September and October brought hurricanes and extreme weather conditions. The stress, anxiety, and grief became insurmountable.

A few days after my mom’s funeral, I went to my writing space to create a post but there was no message inside me. With tears and sorrow, I cried out to God. My bright and burning hope was fast becoming dim and at risk.

Spent. Broken. But, not hopeless. I looked to Jesus to fulfill his promise to never leave me or forsake me.

That promise became my lived reality through voices, hugs, tears, and cards. Friends and family came along side. Their care, comfort, and love fanned dying embers of hope into a bright flame once again.  

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.

Hebrews 10:23 NLT

Here's an interesting thing that I've learned. People watch how we respond to the struggle and burden of a difficult circumstance. Why? I think it’s curiosity. They want to see what hope looks like. I wonder if they watch because hope strengthens hope like iron sharpens iron. Your hope story gives the watcher a reason to choose hope.

Choosing to hope in God’s promises gives you resilience and persistence to stand firm in the literal and figurative storms of this earthly life. Your words and attitude declare your reliance on and trust in God's promises.

Dear friend, you embody a profound and inspiring hope story with or without words. Your hope reveals your firm expectation that God has not, will not, fail you or abandon you. He guides you. God's faithful love comforts, heals, and restores.

Hope declares reliance on and trust in God's promises

The Bible says be ready with an answer when you're asked why you hope. Here are three of God's promises providing a firm foundation on which to build hope.

Which promise of God fans the flame of your hope?

Your hope story is a precious gift to the one who’s hope is in jeopardy. The Lord makes you a beautiful blessing to the one who is searching for hope. We absolutely have reason to hope because God is for us!

Please share your thoughts on hope! And, please share this post to encourage and lift someone's spirit. Check out the Hearts Encouraged FB page, @TerriHutchinsonAuthor. Thanks so much for reading, following, and for your encouragement. Fondly, Terri