Romans 15:13 “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.”

Hope is a powerful thing and I was in desperate need of it last week. Chemotherapy treatments followed by two a day radiation treatments had taken its toll and last Tuesday I was done. I entered into the Cancer Wellness program drained, but I didn’t share it. I just wanted to move forward and get enrolled and start the program. As I listened to when the classes were I realized that due to doctor’s appointments and commitments with the kids that I was unwilling to give up I would miss the first three weeks of the class. I finally was able to convince the nurse that I would be back in January when I could fully complete the twelve week course. I walked through the parking lot and got into my van and broke down. I cried and I cried out to God. “Cancer stinks and I’m tired of it!” I was battle weary. After ten minutes of sobbing and talking, with a little yelling, to God (not at God because there is a huge difference) I felt good enough to drive home.

Later that afternoon, the doctor asked, “how are you?” I responded, “tired and emotionally spent.” Because I believe in answering that question honestly. Normally my answer is “good” because that is how I am. She responded, “Tell me about it.” What a lovely phrase. She did not try to read too much into my response. She allowed me to share. It was the perfect person to share with as well because she knew more about my cancer than I did. As she told me that they are treating with the “intent to cure” I has offered hope. Hope from someone who knew more, had seen more and could offer more than just empty words. Hope is powerful.

I shared earlier in a blog that the God of all comfort wants to use our struggles to comfort others. Have you experienced a difficulty, loss or tragedy that God wants to use to benefit someone else? Don’t bottle it up as we are all tempted to do. There is healing in sharing the hard stuff not only for the hearer of your words, but also for you.

I don’t know how God brings beauty from ashes, but he does. By Wednesday my entire frame of mind was back where it needed to be. My focus returned to Jesus. That obviously doesn’t mean sleep comes easy for me or that I don’t wonder “what if?” fifty times a day. But the hope of God offered through another spoke volumes to me.

So I’ll repeat Romans 15:13 because maybe you need to hear it again or maybe you know someone who does. “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.”

Allow God to speak truth to you today.

1. He is the God of HOPE!
2. He can fill you with ALL JOY and PEACE.
3. You must TRUST in him to experience joy and peace.
4. He wants you to OVERFLOW with HOPE through the power of the Holy Spirit.

There is power in his word. If you need answers, hope or good advice seek God’s Word. He’ll meet you there. If you need comfort, start with the Psalms. If you need to know more about who Jesus is go to the the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John). Questions about science and how it fits with God’s word read Job and Genesis. Worry or lacking joy read Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Get into the Bible answers await.

I’m praying that you’ll be Abundantly His!