Where My Hope is Found-A Guest Post by J.D. Wininger

 

Today’s world is filled with ever-increasing chaos, hatred, violence, confusion, illness, divisiveness, natural disasters, and evil. In this environment, hope can become a scarce commodity in every person’s life. As much as we Christians want to deny it sometimes, our carnal human spirit will remain in us until God calls His children home. It is the human spirit that causes our minds to focus on those things happening around us.

Situational awareness is good because it triggers our fight-or-flight mechanism (also known as acute stress response), but it is a physiological response to some stress trigger within us. Although stress has existed since the fall of man, it seems compounded more in our lives today than ever before. The only time I’ve had these high levels of stress before was while serving in the military.

Our bodies can handle short periods of stress, but long-term or chronic stress affects our musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, and endocrine systems, among others. The impact on our minds and psyche can be even greater, manifesting itself in depression, fatigue, anguish, and fear.

Stress and Hope

So the question becomes, How can I deal with all the stressors in my life today?

My answer is, “I don’t have to.” This isn’t saying that nothing causes stress in my life; almost everything around me contributes to my stress levels. My solution is to choose hope rather than stress.

When life’s stresses overwhelm us, remember we find genuine hope in God’s word. -J.D. Wininger #HopeEndures #RealHopeLasts Click To Tweet

Understand, I do not find my hope in the hollow expectations of this world. As I’ve stated for many years, “Hope is not a strategy! It is a destination.” The strategy in hoping is to develop a plan to reach your desired destination. Hope is unrealized until we apply some action to it.

I can hope the Parmesan-encrusted tilapia I’m planning for supper is the perfect mix of crunchy and moist. I only realize that hope by properly prepping the dish and baking it at the right temperature and time. In the same way, the indisputable promise of God’s word provides the real, lasting hope I need to survive the stresses of this world.

It is in my holding onto the promises of God through faith in my Savior that I rise above the din of confusion and chaos enveloping this world. When the world seems to overtake me, I reach deep within the recesses of my heart where I have hidden God’s word. Among my favorites to combat the stresses this world inflicts upon me is this:

“My soul faints for Your salvation,
But I hope in Your word.”
(Psalm 119:81)

What We Learn From David’s Hope

When David wrote this Psalm, he was at one of the lowest points in his life. His enemies were defeating him at every turn, and he was anguished and depressed. Yet, David’s words clarify that while all around him seemed lost, his faith in God remained steadfast. His dismal mood and bleak outlook could not shake David’s faith that God would deliver him from these conditions. His faith never wavered.

Although I may go through some trial, my God will be there with me during that trial. -J.D. Wininger #RealHopeLasts #HopeEndures Click To Tweet

Humbly, I offer the following meme, which I place on my desktop during those stressful times in my life, reminding me of what is ahead for God’s children.

I pray you too find comfort in knowing that our steadfast hope in God’s word and the promise it holds is all we need to overcome this world.

 

God’s blessings,

JD

Scripture is taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

J.D. Wininger is an award-winning writer and speaker who teaches compelling lessons in faith and writes heartfelt devotionals and books to glorify God. He has written for national magazines, CBN.com, Lighthouse Bible Studies, and contributed to several books. When not working his Texas ranch, he and his wife Diane share God’s love in surrounding communities.

Website: https://jdwininger.com/

Facebook: J.D. Wininger, Christian Author | Facebook

Twitter: J.D. Wininger (@JD_Wininger) / Twitter

Peace and grace,
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