All In Devotional - Matthew WestEsimerkki

Never Ever Give Up – Matthew West Choosing to hope in the midst of trial is a very counterintuitive and countercultural choice. When life feels hopeless, all you can see are your current circumstances, and it doesn’t look like they will change any time soon. The world around you is much the same. Tragedy and hurt and pain take up most of the headlines. People tell you to fear, take cover, be on guard. They don’t tell you to hope. You've had your share of life ain’t fair, but you won’t tap out My money says you’ll still be swinging ‘til the last round When the odds say you should quit, well, you do the opposite, yeah That’s what you are As a Christ follower, we always have hope, even when the world says there is nothing to hope for or in, even when your life is in shambles around you. And our hope is not optimistic or naïve. Our hope is real because it is rooted in more than our circumstances. Paul puts it this way: “But we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (Rom. 5:3-5). Suffering produces hope. Hope is not something that just shows up. It’s not something we can take a dose of when needed. In Christ, suffering produces the character we need to have real hope. Hope that rises above our circumstances and relies solely on the love God has given us. We don’t hope because our circumstances change or because we’re able to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and fake a smile. We hope because God loves us. And nothing, no amount of despair or tragedy will ever change that. Whatever you’re facing today, don’t give up. There is no promise for what our lives will hold. But there is a promise that no matter what happens, the God of the universe will be with us. In that, our hope will never disappoint.