May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. —Romans 15:13 NIV

It was one of the most difficult situations I have ever faced. The news hit me like a blow to the stomach. I won’t go into details because it would invade the privacy of someone I care about, but it appeared to have changed the shape of some expectations for my future. How to deal with it? Where was God in this? It couldn’t be His will!

During that week, these words jumped off the page of Scripture to me as if God had put a red arrow pointing to them, with the message, “Sue, this is for you”: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit”  (Romans 15:13 NIV).

God seemed to be offering me hope for the future and joy and peace in the present, in spite of the current circumstances and their far-reaching implications.

Was God really saying that to me? Or was I reading into it the comfort I longed to feel?

I have long since forgotten the message of the sermon that next Sunday, but I still remember the verse it was based on. The same verse. The message of hope repeated! Later that week, I received an encouraging note from a friend who had no way of knowing the circumstances I faced. She sent me the same verse. I received that same message three different ways within a week. Once—maybe I was reading into it what I wanted to hear. Twice—perhaps coincidence. But three times within the span of a week. I believed—and still believe—that God wanted me to hear that message, wanted me to have hope—and not just a little hope—He wanted me to overflow with hope. What kind of hope? Not necessarily “hoping” that God would change the circumstances, but hope in Him and who He is. Hope that He, by His powerful character, is able to take those circumstances and bring good out of them.

From time to time, I am still tempted to despair over this situation that has not yet worked out in a way I would like—in a way that appears to me to be in accordance with His will. The implications of the situation continue to impact me. But God sweetly reminds me that He did not give me a drop of hope that could be used up. He. Is. Hope. And by the power of His Spirit, He wants me to Overflow. With. Hope.

Heavenly Father, I am in the middle of the story and, unlike the books I read, I cannot go to the last page to see how it will all work out. I rest, knowing that You are the author of my story, and You know the beginning, the middle, and the end. You know how You will work the story together to the finale You have chosen. I do not know the plan or even the outline, but I trust You; I trust Your heart, and I overflow with hope. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Walking in Hope,
Sue Key
New Musings contributor, Sue Key, is blessed with a wonderful husband, three children, and eight grandchildren. She originally wrote blogs as memories to share with her children about God’s faithfulness through life’s challenges.

Sweet Selah Ministries

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