"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." —Hebrews 6:19
I'm a dreamer by nature. I often tell my mom that I have "big plans" for life. And I do. I have things in life I want to do and accomplish far beyond the four small walls of the city I live in right now.
For at least two years, all I've wanted to do was move out of state, be around different people, and do new things. I've prayed almost every day for the past two years about it. In fact, I just prayed about it this morning. But nonetheless, here I sit, writing this, from the same apartment, the same city, the same state I've been praying to leave for years.
And I'm still praying.
Maybe you can relate.
We wish we had a different set of circumstances. We wish we could see into the future to know what's in store. We pray and pray for answers, but they don't seem to come. That's where I want to meet you today.
I remember a while back hearing a bunch of music coming out with a common theme ringing through: encouragement for those who were disappointed. I remember thinking, "Why is everyone disappointed in life?" But then I looked at my own life—my own circumstance that for years I have had faith in God to change things yet everything remained unchanged—and I began to see why people are walking around disappointed.
You see, friends, disappointment happens when we don't get what we want, when we want, and how we want. It's the feeling that comes from longings and desires that are unfulfilled. Maybe you get excited for something you think is going to happen and then it doesn't (which was my case). Or maybe you desire something so much, and you do everything you can to get it, only to fall short of your goal.
In every season, something is not going to go according to plan. As I've walked through this season in my life, God has taught me something very valuable. For the last six months, there's been a word resounding in my mind: HOPE.
It's when we put our hope in something besides Jesus that we will be disappointed.
God has the absolute best for us, and the only way we can make it through life without constantly being disappointed is by fixing our eyes on Jesus and wanting Him more than anything else in this life (Psalm 27:4). Instead of putting your hope into the things which may or may not happen, I encourage you today to put your hope in Jesus who doesn't change and who knows the absolute best for you.
It means you want Jesus more than that boyfriend or girlfriend, more than that college or job you're applying for, more than your own dreams and desires—even if they're godly pursuits!
Yes, you can have dreams, but put your hope in the One who knows the best dream for you and all the details to get there. His plans are better than you can imagine, and He is more faithful than the rising sun.
Philippians 1:6 says to be "confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." You may not see what He's doing now, and you may be tempted to take the steering wheel in your life and do things your way to avoid disappointment, but when you do, you may miss out on God's best. Disappointment will surely meet you at the end of that road. Jesus is worthy of your trust, and He is the only one who is worth putting your hope in. He will finish in you what He has started.
He knows what is best for you, and He knows the best timing. True peace and contentment only come by praying about everything and resting in His peace and guidance. Paul tells us in Philippians 4:11-13, "For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength."
Am I still praying that God would move in my life? Yes. Since I've put my hope in Him alone, do I trust that He has the best for me? Absolutely.
When we put our hope in Jesus, at the end of the road, we will not be disappointed.
"Put your hope in the LORD, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with Him is full redemption." —Psalm 130:7
—Stephanie
Stephanie is a 21-year old with a passion to see believers grow and become passionate in their relationship with the Lord. She is a lover of sweat tea, sunshine, and the freedom that comes from Christ. In her free time, she can be found singing, playing guitar, writing or jamming out to Hawk Nelson, Phil Wickham, and worship music. Her dreams are to become a worship leader and a published author, while living a life full of fun and joy that comes from the Lord.
