"Hopes Up" – letting go of mind games

Have you ever watched someone go through a terminal illness with such grace? As everyday got harder and the pain increased, they had an amazing peace. I have, and what I saw was hope. As life took them though what looked like an impossible situation, one thing kept them going to the end – Hope.

The word hope, in the original Greek, means: to anticipate, usually with pleasure. It's positive forward believing – not just thinking. The book of Romans takes us though different aspects of hope. Starting with Abraham's hope that came from believing in God (Rom. 4:18), to our hope in believing in Jesus Christ. It's expressed beautifully in chapter 5:1-5."Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have also obtained access through Him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us (HCSB)."
Romans 8:24,25 says, "Now in this hope we were saved, yet hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience (HCSB)"
Romans 12:12 tells us to, "Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer." (HCSB)

We have enough afflictions in this life to become discouraged. If we believe in this hope, that is from God, we will not be disappointed. Have you ever thought that if you don't get your "hopes up" on something, than you wont be disappointed when it doesn't work out? I have. We think it acts as a protection plan. Only living life with that plan, doesn't give God the benefit of the doubt. It's driven by thought not heart. We try to trick our heart with negative mind games. Yes, mind games. You know what I mean. Thoughts like: "I'm not going to believe it till I see it;" or "I bet it won't work out." When, in our heart, we want to believe that it will all work out. We are scared of being disappointed. The hope that is in Christ Jesus, is a hope we can count on. This doesn't mean that if we have this hope, God will give us all we dream of. But, it does mean we can rest in His hope that He loves us and will provide what is best for us even when it looks impossible. So, don't stop praying and believing in eternal hope. Scripture says, in Revelations 21:4, that in heaven; "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will no longer exist; grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer, because the previous things have passed away (HCSB)."

This is how my terminally ill family member had peace. This is how you and I can have peace. Let go of trying to play mind games and believe in the hope that is in Jesus Christ. He does not disappoint.

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

 ~ Romans 15:13 (HCSB)

"Heavenly Father, I believe in the hope that is in Jesus Christ. I let go of the mind games I play that doubt you in the midst of my affliction. I know you love me and I pray for peace."

© Carol Outhous Jones 2014