"Got Hope? How Do You Respond To Struggle?"

This year has begun with such great momentum. There is such great vision, clarity and passion among my friends, family & church. Often, with a fresh year comes a fresh hope. Hope that this year will be different. Hope that this year you will try new things. Hope that you will change areas of your life that you have always wanted to change. But, how many know that after a couple months, or even after a couple days, we tend to become discouraged with our situations. As a result, we become disillusioned and lose hope of ever seeing those changes come to pass.

Paul writes to the church in Thessalonica and begins his letter by saying,

“We always thank God for you….we remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”  1 Thessalonians 1:2,3 NIV

Where Do You Find Hope?

The believers in Thessalonica were facing extreme persecution, their situations were absolutely trying. However, Paul heard of the way that they were living in the midst of these extremely difficult situations & says that he “always thanks God for them… remembering their endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

I want to ask you today, when you’re faced with difficult situations, unchanging circumstances, persecution or ‘dry seasons’ would someone be able to say that they ‘remember your endurance inspired by hope?’ What do the people around you see when you’re in a season of struggle? Do they see complaining, anger, frustration, disillusionment or hope?

 Many times we want God to deliver us from the rough stuff, the hard situations. But, maybe God is trying to

make us greater stewards of the hope He

has given us in Jesus Christ!

This Sunday I'll be preaching at Living Hope Christian Center about "Stewarding Hope." You can check it out on Sunday by going to http://www.livehope.us/ & checking out the Media page. Tune in to hear how God has called us to great endurance, to become stewards of the hope that is ours in Christ Jesus!