When you believe the lie that hope is something you have to generate in your own strength, you get frustrated, disappointed, and exhausted. Putting your awareness of God’s goodness at the mercy of your circumstances and the opinions of others usually ends up with you feeling like a hollow chocolate bunny. With the head bitten off.
But when you remember hope is a person, that self-imposed, impossible burden is lifted off, and your expectations shift to recognizing the goodness and grace of God all around you. Hope is indeed a choice. But rather than striving to earn it, the choice is in allowing Jesus to restore your heart to see your life with all the joy he does. It’s in letting him renew your mind to trust him for what he says is possible in his peace.
“Now may God, the inspiration and fountain of hope, fill you to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust in him. And may the power of the Holy Spirit continually surround your life with his super-abundance until you radiate with hope” (Romans 15:13, TPT).
Equip Your Spirit 