Hope

Francesca Battistelli sings, "I got a couple dents in my fender, got a couple rips in my jeans. Try to fit the pieces together, but perfection is my enemy. And on my own I'm so clumsy, but on Your shoulders I can see I'm free to be me!" ("Free to be Me") These lyrics remind us that, no matter what we are going through, we don't have to have it all together. While we are imperfect, we serve a perfect God!

Proverbs 23:18 says, "There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off." (NIV)

Having hope can help people get through a difficult time and push past it. However, that hope must be seen in the leader. Maxwell says, "It is the leader's job to hold hope high, to instill it in the people he leads." If you do not display and instill hope in your followers, how can you expect them to have it? Hope comes form God, but you must display it to those you lead. Psalm 62:5 gives credibility to that: "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him." (NIV)

Maxwell asks, "How does your attitude reflect one of hope and potential?"

When things get hard, it may bring me down for a short time. However, I try to remember to give it up to God and trust in His presence, provision, and deliverance. Maxwell notes that, "Maintaining hope comes from seeing the potential in every situation and staying positive despite circumstances." That is possible when you give your troubles over to God and trust Him to lead you.

I pray this verse over whomever reads this: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13, NIV)

God bless you!