Powered by Hope

Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times. ROMANS 12:12 GNT 

We can rejoice...when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love. (Romans 5:3–5 NLT) 

This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. (Hebrews 6:19 NLT) 

So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.(I Peter 1:13 NLT) 

We put our hope in the LORD. He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, LORD, for our hope is in You alone. (Psalm 33:20–22 NLT) 

Lead me by Your truth and teach me, for You are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in You. (Psalm 25:5 NLT) 

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! (Psalm 42:11 NLT) 

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him. (Psalm 62:5 NLT) 

A NOTE FROM CANDACE 

Life is beautiful. It’s also hard. Both can be true at the same time. Sometimes the challenges we face seem overwhelming, even impossible. We all have moments when we get discouraged, moments when things seem hopeless. It’s certainly been true for me. 

I’ve felt that way in my marriage. Over twenty-five years, there have been many wonderful moments, but there have also been moments when I felt hopeless wondering how things would work out. 

I’ve also felt that way as a parent: “I can’t take one more day like this!” My husband traveled a lot when the kids were little, and at times it could feel lonely. Day after day, the monotony of mothering led me to thoughts that I was failing as a mom and that my three kids were not going to turn out well. There were ugly moments when my teens said hateful things (you know, because they are teens). Moms, you get me, right? 

But then I’d remind myself—my hope is in Jesus. I might struggle and stumble and fall and even fail, but His love never fails. He cares for me. And He will carry me through this. All I can do is try to honor Him with my choices, make the best decisions I can with the wisdom He’s given me. And keep on keeping on. 

Keep on trusting in Him. Keep on believing in Him. Keep on hoping in Him. 

Nothing is impossible for God. He can do amazing and incredible things—in my marriage, in my relationship with my kids, in my career, friendships, every part of my life. It may not always happen on my timetable. It may not always look the way I want it to. He doesn’t always do what I want—or what I would do. Whew, I’m glad for that because He knows best, He cares, and He sees me. He is my hope. 

Honestly, knowing this didn’t always make my day-to-day better. But it gave me hope and courage and strength while I waited. I would have conversations with my husband, Val, or with my mom or with girlfriends who shared similar struggles, and I’d hear over and over again: “Hang in there!” I’d catch glimmers of hope—signs of positive change or growth or answers to prayer—and whisper, “Thank You, Lord!” 

And I learned the truth of Lamentations 3:22–23: “The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning” (NLT). Everyone wakes up to a fresh start. Today is a new day. A day we can live unstoppable—(in)powered by hope. 

Isaiah 40:31 says, “Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength” (NIV). The original word for “hope” can also be translated as “wait,” as in “those who wait on the Lord,” or “trust,” “those who trust in the Lord.” What is the relationship between hoping and waiting and trusting? 

This is an excerpt from Unstoppable, a devotional guide from Candace Cameron Bure.