God is the source of hope. Let that sink in. All hope flows from God. Joy and peace show up in our lives because of our trust in Him. The Holy Spirit gives us confident hope even when “evidence on the ground” might seem to be saying something else.

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 NLT

I experienced the truth of this verse in a conversation with a single mom of four adopted children (all in their adult years). It had been a journey for this family, taking everyone to places and circumstances no one expected to experience. In the middle of the conversation, this mom said the following: “I am eternally hopeful.”

She sees God at work in the life of her family. He is the source of change and transformation. She experiences joy and peace that comes from trusting in God. She is filled with confident hope that God is at work, and she is looking for evidence of His transforming work in the lives of her kids every day. Her approach to life is rooted in her faith in God. She shows up in life with faithfulness to consistently be present and available to her kids, no matter what.

This conversation was a reminder to show up in this world knowing that God is at work in every relationship that’s on my heart and mind. I am following this mom’s lead. I am showing up as one who is eternally hopeful. Follow this mom’s example with me. Focus on God as the source of all our hope. Let His joy and peace be present in our lives as we trust Him with everyone and everything. Receive the confident hope the Holy Spirit brings into our lives.

Ed McDowell, CEO
Warm Beach Ministries