Stepping Stones: Hope: Confident Desire

Transformational Tip
Several years ago at Disney World, I saw a 6 yo kid having a meltdown (not my kid of course)…in the mid-afternoon, hot day, long lines, so many options, some letdowns, lots of stimulation, probably off schedule and late nights. His parents said the magical words, “if you are good, you can have 2 desserts after dinner.” It was like an exorcism was performed and the kid was back to normal. Why? He now had hope. Hope is such a powerful emotional state. Expectation, trust, wish, optimism, anticipation…Confident Desire… All dimensions of hope. The cool thing about hope is that you actually believe there is a real chance of getting what you hope for. Hope can lift your perspective from weary feet to glorious views of the high road…the road to heaven. Way better than 2 desserts. Do you live your life…your daily attitude, lenses you use, future outlook…with the ultimate hope alive in you and visible to others?
Today, focus on this radiant destination with Confident Desire (hope). When you do, the roughness or smoothness of the road ahead becomes less significant. Attack today’s obstacle, whatever it is for you, with the encompassing knowledge that you are getting double desserts…the Holy Spirit in this life, and eternity with God. Today, also look to see who help bring hope into the life of someone who feels hopeless. Click here to share with the Stepping Stone community your thoughts on Hope and how it impacts your life.

Prayer
Dear Father,
I know that hope is a golden cord that connects me to heaven. I feel as if my head is slumped and my feet are shuffling. Help me Father; help me to have this cord hold my head high…even in the midst of the storms I am experiencing. Help me, Father, to hold in my heart a dual focus; Your continual Presence and the hope of heaven. These things I ask boldly, through the love and work of Christ Jesus for us, and all God’s children said, – AMEN!

The Truth
Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;
Romans 12:12
Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.
Jeremiah 17:7-8
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God,
who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever;
Psalm 146:5-6