One of the saddest things in life is to be so beaten down by our circumstances that we lose hope, albeit temporarily.
It is said that as long as there is life there is hope.
I believe we need hope to stir us into life. Aspects of hope to revive us.
Without it our dreams die, joy withers, apathy and resignation take the place of purposeful activity.
Our hope in God is not false comfort, or a misplaced yearning.
Rather, it is a courageous leap of faith where we believe in God’s impossibly wonderful grace and goodness, and discover that they are the surest thing possible.
Only God can bring beauty from ashes, joy out of adversity, and praise out of despair.
He shines His light in the darkest of places and overcomes the darkness. His Light will never be extinguished. It blazes hot into eternity.
All may look gloomy and grim...but God… can change our attitude within.
We trust in His power to breathe life into what seems dead.
To help us to hang on when we are at the end of our rope.
All it takes is a flicker of faith to ignite a spark of hope out of hopelessness.
So don’t lose heart or hope, my friend.
Turn to His word and receive the promises wrapped up in hope.
Come boldly before the throne of grace and be refueled and refreshed.
Lay down your weary head and let go of all that weighs heavy on you.
God is waiting to pour His love out on you and stir the embers of hope back into life again.
‘Hope’
Hope deferred
makes a heart sicken
countenance gloom, eyes dim,
mood of doom, no joy within,
shoulders sink, frame bending,
tears blink, misery descending
Hope heard
makes a heart quicken
chin lifting, quavery glow,
something is shifting we know,
a tiny flicker rises again
no candle-wick snuffed out by Him
Hope stirred
makes a heart begin
to survive onslaughts
and thrive against aught
devouring God’s word, we heed
its message believed and received
©JoyLenton2014
Linking here with Beth, Holley and Jennifer
Poetry Joy 
Yes, blessed hope. I love this post and your poem, Joy. They really speak to the deep longing inside of me. Thank you. Hoping in Jesus along with you.
Hi Trudy. Thanks very much for stopping by. I’m so pleased this spoke to you! May your hope be rekindled and your faith strengthened for the days ahead. God bless you, friend. 🙂 x
Love this Joy, it brings joy to my heart, “All it takes is a flicker of faith to ignite a spark of hope out of hopelessness.” And the poem is so beautiful- thank you for the gift of your words.
Thank you, Katie! Sorry for my slow reply. I think your comment slipped the net for a while and didn’t get seen until I came back to the dashboard here. I’m so pleased this spoke to you. Bless you for your sweet encouragement, friend. 🙂 x
I love this one! I randomly choose tea cups to drink from and today my hand landed on a cup inscribed “Hope.” I think The Lord is using you to remind me of something on a gloomy day! Thank you!
Thank you, Amy! I’m so pleased this spoke to you. And I love how God directs our paths to the extent of which cup we choose to drink out of! Having just visited your site and read a beautiful poem which was very meaningful to me, I believe God is also using you to speak to me. Blessings to you, friend. 🙂 x
I do not call myself a poet, but occasionally, I will write things I call poems. Last month, I wrote one called, hope. Here it is if you want to visit: http://www.brownpaperandstrings.com/hope-poem/
Your poem is beautiful.
Jamie, having just read the lovely poem you have written about hope I can say with some assurance that you are definitely a poet and can feel confident calling yourself one! Thank you for stopping by here to offer encouragement and to share your own work. God bless you, friend. 🙂 x
Joy, it was son wonderful to see you linkup for TWW. Thanks you for joining us. You write so beautifully and I always love your poems.
My heart always leaps with joy at those two words, “But God…” They are always followed by good news. Loved this >>> “All it takes is a flicker of faith to ignite a spark of hope out of hopelessness.” Let Hope in.
Blessings to you. xoxo
Hi Beth. It’s a privilege to participate in TWW! Thank you so much for your kindness and encouragement. I share your excitement at the words, “But God..” because they suggest anything and everything is possible when God steps in. All we need are eyes to see it, faith to respond and a heart to obey what He asks us to do. May you have a weekend filled with joy and hope. Bless you, friend. 🙂 xx
Hi Joy! Your poem is so touching. Hope deferred makes a heart sicken…that is so true! Thank you for your encouraging words today. To keep turning myself to the Lord for help. Then my chin will lift! With him, I can realize the hope that he’s ‘got it’ and I need only remain in faith. He will lead.
Love this my friend!
Ceil
Hi Ceil. It’s good to see you here! I’m really pleased the poem spoke to you. It’s so easy to lose our hope and fail to recharge it again, isn’t it? Trust and obedience will bring us greater confidence and hope as we walk closely with the Lord. May you know the joy of His Presence filling you with hope and peace in the days ahead. Bless you, my friend. 🙂 xx
Joy bringing joy. Perfect! So glad I found you at Simply Beth’s link. This is great encouragement for all who read it. ❤️
It is truly in Jesus that we find our hope. Lovely words here.
Live blessed,
Heather
Hi Heather. It’s lovely to meet you! Thanks very much for stopping by to offer such sweet encouragement. May you also live blessed and be filled with hope. 🙂 x