The Reservoir of Hope

We all know the feeling of a “dry” season. Perhaps it’s a lingering health issue, a strained relationship, or just the heavy weight of the news cycle. In these moments, “feeling hopeful” can feel like trying to draw water from a dusty well. We wait for our circumstances to change so that we can finally feel peace.

But the Apostle Paul offers us a different way in Romans 15:13. He prays to the “God of hope” to fill us with “all joy and peace in believing.” Indeed, there is a profound secret in the words: “in believing.”

Hope is a Choice, Not a Feeling

Joy and peace are not the rewards for things going well; they are the results of active trust. When we fix our eyes on the “God of Hope,” we aren't ignoring our problems, rather, we are simply acknowledging that God is bigger than them. This is “joy and peace in the way of believing.” It is a quiet confidence that remains even when the storm is still howling.

The Power Within

We might ask, “How can I possibly feel joyful amidst everything I'm going through right now?” The truth is, we can’t; at least not on our own. Paul tells us that this hope comes “by the power of the Holy Spirit.” The Holy Spirit is the one who works these graces in us. We don’t have to manufacture hope; we have to submit to the Comforter. He is the one who pours the love of God into our hearts and stirs up the embers of our faith when they start to grow cold.

From Survival to Abundance

God’s goal for us isn't just that we “get by” or “hang on.” His desire is that we “abound in hope.” Think of a reservoir so full that it overflows its banks. That is the spiritual state God offers us; a surplus of confidence that isn't dictated by the stock market, the doctor’s report, or our own merit.

Any time you find your hope-meter hitting “empty,” don't try to fix your circumstances first. Instead, turn to the God of Hope. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill the cracks in your heart with His joy and peace. When God fills us, we find ourselves lifted above the reach of worldly despair!

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13