The other day I dropped my son off in the morning at his elementary school, and in front of the school, I saw a kindergartener walking in slow motion as he approached the school doors. Each of his steps took about 15 seconds a piece. I drove away giggling at this youngster, wondering what was going through his mind as he slow-walked his way to school that day. As an educator, I wish that children would be excited to go to school. I would hope that they would skip, run, canter, and laugh their way into the building. However, there are many reasons that this is not the case. There has been no shortage of tribulations in recent years that have taken the joy out of so many things that we used to count on, like school. I’m sure I don’t have to list them all for you. The news, social media, and daily conversations are constant reminders of the tribulations we face. So how do we hold onto hope?
Romans 5:3-5 says that “…tribulation brings about perseverance, and perseverance, proven character and proven character hope; and hope does not disappoint…”
In a world that seems devoid of hope, we have an unlimited supply. Hope is guaranteed, promised, bought, and paid for. As believers, it is our right and responsibility to be hope dealers in a time when small children are losing hope at a disturbingly early age. So, brothers and sisters, I want to encourage you in this age of tribulation—you have hope. Grab ahold of it and pass it along. In a world filled with anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and disappointment, become a hope dealer through your words, actions, a smile, or meeting a need. Hope does not disappoint because its source is the unlimited love of God.
By: Joy Howard
~Christ Fellowship