Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Hope: A State of Mind

Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose"

What an inspirational verse! And we need it right now. A lot of things are happening in our country that are scary and make us fearful for the future. Uncertainty will do that to a person. We are uncertain of the future more so than usual. The future has always been an unknown, but when you are struggling to pay bills and possibly without a job, that future looks bleak.

We need hope. Hope will help us get up in the morning and face the day. Hope will get us through these hard times. Hope is a state of mind. That’s why a wonderful way to become hopeful is to read the Bible. It is full of verses that are inspiring and hopeful. But think about it. The New Testament is the most hopeful story ever told—Jesus’ sacrifice and death for us in order for us to have salvation and an everlasting life. How can we not be hopeful when we reflect on what He did for us and the love the Lord has for us no matter what? Think of what is waiting for us. Not poverty, not hunger, not pain, not darkness, not evil.

When I get down, I remember a devotional I read from Rick Warren. He stated:
Worship, not worry. Pray, not panic. I sometimes have to repeat that a lot not to do either one of those, worry and panic, because I’ve done them all my life. I’m reconditioning myself to worship and pray when I start to feel worry and panic descend on me.

What do you do to keep your spirits up?

7 comments:

  1. I tell ya, Rick Warren, doesn't get better than him, does it? I'm going to have to remember his saying, "Worship, not worry. Pray, not panic" thanks for sharing that.

    What do I do? I listen to "Your Way" by Adie Camp (Jeremy Camp's Wife). Go check the song out...seriously, if you're not motiviated to seek God's will after that....**smile**

    Music is a HUGE part of my life. It motivates me, encourages me, and inspires me. That's how I keep my spirits up.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lynn, I love music and there are a couple of songs that swell my heart with the Lord.

    Margaret

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hope is one of the main elements that I think our inspirational romances give readers. In our stories people struggle with problems that happen in this fallen world. But with Christ, we always have hope. He has begun a good work in us and will not leave it uncompleted.

    So what I do to keep hope alive? I read Love Inspired romances!

    Lyn

    ReplyDelete
  4. When I'm down, I pray for God to sustain me, and that His will be done. And I also share what's bothering me with others by asking for prayer. Sometimes it helps me just to know others are praying for me. (and the Love Inspired authors email loop is one of the groups I ask for prayer).

    Lynn, I love music, too! Sometimes I just blast it out in my car when I need a pick-me-up. I love 104.7 The Fish in Atlanta (for anyone close enough to get it). Switching over to that station when it first started several years ago did a lot to help my overall attitude.

    Missy

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great post, Margaret! Being the "Queen of Worry" (which is NOT a title I'm proud of, by the way)I have learned that turning to Jesus is always what I need to do: Prayer, Reading Scriptures, and thanking Him for all my wonderful blessings. ~ At the risk of sounding like the "Crazy Cat Lady" *grin* it also really helps having all my cats around...stroking their fur is soothing(seriously!!). Hugs, Patti Jo :) P.S. Missy, I love the FISH station too--listen every morning!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I like listening to Christian music, too. In my area there is a station called THE PROMISE. Until about a year ago, it didn't come in very well, but they changed spots on the radio dial, and now it comes in great.

    ReplyDelete
  7. This advice about worshipping and praying when worry and anxiety descends is so sound.

    Great post.

    Cheryl

    ReplyDelete

Popular Posts

Write for Love Inspired Romance?

Write for Love Inspired Romance?
If you do and would like to join this blog, please contact either Margaret Daley or Pamela Tracy

Total Pageviews

Blog Archive