A friend of mine came to me complaining of the “fleshly” behavior of Christians which she used as an excuse to stay away from church gatherings. She had given up hope.
St. Paul lists for Roman believers, in the twelfth chapter of his letter, attitudes and actions they were to have in relationship with each other (verses 9-21). In that list we find hope. Christians are supposed to be vessels of hope, made so by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit of “the God of all hope.” But, sometimes in the hoping, we forget God’s ability to accomplish what He promises, and, we either get impatient and intolerant in the waiting and/or foolishly put our expectations on a creature rather than the Creator.
Paul admonishes believers “to give joy to” hope; to delight in what God has given us in Christ. This “joy filled” hope will keep us steady on the course He has laid out for us and ready to help others along the Way. Selah.