What is hope and why is it so powerful? Hope is an energizing agent. It is what keeps someone moving forward even against great odds. Sometimes hope can be a long shot while most of the time it is based on a certainty of a new and better outcome. For instance, most students face finals with the expectation and hope that the demands of the current school year will be complete and finals are behind them.
Hope is very important when we are stuck in a place we want to get out from. David in the book of Psalms stated, “Why are you downcast O my soul? And why are you disquieted in me? Hope in God for I shall yet praise him!” — Michael Pfau
David was running from an enemy, King Saul, who was bent on his death and was willing to pursue David all over Israel to see him dead. But David discovered some keys that can help us if we practice them.
Points to Ponder:
First David spoke to his soul instead of allowing his soul to speak to him. This one principle is critical in replacing the lies of our self-talk with truth.
Second he placed his hope in God as good and faithful. Distortions of God’s character can lead to much heartache and difficulty in our lives if they aren’t discovered and addressed. That is why he could say to his soul ‘Hope in God for I shall yet praise Him’. David knew God can be trusted no matter what his circumstances looked like.
Third, David had a small group of friends to stand with him during this time. It’s been said that you can survive any difficulty with 2-3 good friends.
Who do you have in your life that is 110% for you and your goals? A life coach is one of these people, but others should be part of your inner circle of supporters as well.
So what about you? You’re probably not running for your life right now (at least I hope not) but you may be facing your own ‘enemy’. Perhaps it is an assault on your self perception, ‘You are too stupid, ugly, fat, skinny, undisciplined, unfriendly, disorganized, etc.’ (these are all things clients have related to me from their negative self talk). Or maybe it is an attack on your dream, ‘You’ll never make it. You are a phony. You’ll fail. No one will buy your product or service or attend your seminar’.
Whatever the message you are hearing it does not offer hope but instead makes you feel unsure, that life is scary and you are stuck and needing hope. It is an interesting principle but it seems that when an individual identifies a big goal or change they want to make in their life, as soon as they begin to move toward that goal, the negative self-talk kicks in and attempts to sabotage them.
I really would love to hear from you! Please email me or post a comment in the blog or on Facebook and let me know what is going on between you and God in your journey with hope and let’s encourage one another.
Michael,
This was really helpful for me to read this morning. Good timing. I am going through a tough time with the leadership team I am part of at church. My hope has been fading the past few days. Then, the negative self talk kicks in and does not help me move forward at all. It pushes me into neutral. It is very defeating. Sure, there is always a need for honesty about my weaknesses, and short comings, but I am sensing from the Lord today that he is for me, and like for David, God is my source of strength not my own ability. There will be failures along the way for sure, but that is no reason to lose hope and be satisfied with the status quo. So, it is time to step up and lead in the power of his Spirit. I am already “leading” but it is time to face my fear of leading in this current context and fill the gap that is there because of my passivity. Today, I sense the Lord leading me to offer to our pastor that I am ready to step up to a new level and see what he says. If it is “no”, then it will be a no from the Lord. It is time to get off my butt and move forward with hope in who God is and what he is able to do, even through me.
Thanks for the encouragement.
Paul
Thanks so much Paul ~ So thankful that these thoughts have encouraged you to have hope and move forward!