Abounding Hope

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Romans 15:13

Some people -- even Christians -- spend their time and money finding joy and peace in the things the world has to offer. Perhaps they shop until they drop. Or they hit the party circuit. But eventually the items purchased lose their luster, the party comes to an end, and joy and peace fade. To get that feeling of joy and peace again requires another shopping spree, another party. We don't have to settle for that kind of roller coaster existence. Going from lows to highs and back down to lows, over and over again. The God of hope offers us lasting joy and peace through belief in Him. It begins with a personal relationship with Him, and a conscious decision to make God enough. When we look to anything other than God to satisfy us, we are telling Him that He's just not cutting it. And as long as we do this, we quench the power of the Holy Spirit. God has promised us joy and peace in believing. Belief removes all the obstacles to God's gifts of joy and peace. Belief opens the door to our hearts and says to the Holy Spirit, "Come in and give me abounding hope."