ASHLEY BECKER | BEULAH CAMPUS ADMINISTRATOR
Romans 15:13 ESV. "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."
At the beginning of 2020, before the pandemic had really hit the U.S. and all the fear that hit the airwaves after, I had a dream of people running and panicking in fear as things were changing rapidly, yet, in the dream, I was looking on and praying for the people as they were terrified. I was watching them scream and panic as if I was watching a movie outside my living room window, yet I felt a strong sense of peace fill my home. I did not feel any fear and had empathy for them, as God reassured me that you can be surrounded by fear, yet still be filled with peace. I woke up feeling hopeful.
As followers of Christ, we should be the most hopeful people on the planet. We have the promise of eternal life, we have the holy spirit indwelling us, we have supernatural protection, we have peace that surpasses understanding. We have the presence of God, which the Bible says, is the fullness of joy and we have victory over death! Paul, the writer of most of the New Testament even prayed that the God of hope may fill us with all joy and peace in believing so that we would ABOUND in hope by the Holy Spirit. Abound means to exist in large numbers or amounts. To be plentiful, abundant, superabound and thrive. Abound is to have hope that is above and beyond what’s normal.
It makes you wonder how Paul, a man that was persecuted, beat up, and imprisoned regularly for preaching the gospel was praying for others to abound in hope. His hope was not based on temporary circumstances or situations good or bad. His hope was based on the God of Hope himself, Jesus Christ.
I believe part of abounding in hope is setting our minds on Christ in the midst of worldly sorrows and hardships. Let’s read what Paul exhorted us to do in Colossians 3:1 AMP
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1“ If then you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.3 For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God.4 When Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in [the splendor of His] glory.”
By setting our minds on things above, keeping our focus on God, not on earthly sorrows we can abound in hope and walk in supernatural peace in the midst of the storms of life. Are you abounding in hope?
