Reflection: Have you ever wondered, where does hope come from? Is there a hidden treasure of hope awaiting to be discovered? As already mentioned, hope is a choice, not a feeling. And that choice stems from our inner beliefs, our faith. Faith is an endless source of hope if we choose to draw on it. By proclaiming and praising the Lord, we could potentially shift our focus from the external environment that is impacting our feelings negatively, toward declaring the Lord’s goodness.
Another source of hope is confidence in the Lord’s provision. This usually comes with age and through experiencing his goodness in our lives. Take a few moments to reflect on one specific past crisis when you felt helpless and hopeless and try to explore the goodness in that crisis — the window of hope that was not apparent then — and praise him for it. It is not easy if the crisis is recent, but with time and experience, you can praise the Lord saying: “Thus far the Lord has helped us” (1 Sam. 7:12). And let us reflect this hopefulness to younger generations who have not yet experienced his goodness.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord for sustaining and keeping us safe and healthy so far. As we face the unknown future, we seek your guidance and wisdom. We praise your name.