Why do I put so much stock in what others think of me? As a wife, mom, Christian, writer, and so on… I want validation from people around me, and forget that there is only One whose opinion actually matters.

In the natural order of things, of course, my husband’s opinion is important. As is my family’s and friends’. But, never should my worth be based on anything other than what God’s Holy Word tells me.

Humans are flawed. Each of us carries around broken flesh that will never be in perfect harmony with others around us.

No matter how much we love someone, we can not be the rise and fall of their hope, and we cannot let them be the foundation of ours. No, our hope must rest in the One who promises it to us!

Hope Resources & Tools

Be Still My Soul by Elisabeth ElliotHope (6×9 Journal): Lined Writing Notebook

Hope – A Biblical Word Study

Definition:

HOPE, noun [Latin cupio.]

1. A desire of some good, accompanied with at least a slight expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable. hope differs from wish and desire in this, that it implies some expectation of obtaining the good desired or the possibility of possessing it. hope therefore always gives pleasure or joy; whereas wish and desire may produce or be accompanied by pain and anxiety.

2. Confidence in a future event; the highest degree of well-founded expectation of good; as a hope founded on God’s gracious promises; a scriptural sense.

3. That which gives hope; he or that which furnishes ground of expectation, or promises desired good. The hope of Israel is the Messiah. [American Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster, 1828]

Scripture To Study & Thoughts To Ponder:

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Romans 5:1-5

These are the promises I must cling to during my times of self-doubt. I can not make myself worthy of anyone, but Jesus makes me worthy in Him.

I find it interesting that hope comes from several things: faith, peace, grace, tribulations, patience, and experience! And out of hope comes the strength to be “not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, which is given unto us.”!

Last night, as I was feeling discouraged over some (pointless) things, I turned to God’s Word and searched for … hope. I landed on the above scriptures without looking for them.

Nothing changes the fact that life is hard, but God promises so much more than we can even fathom in the midst of those hardships. What would it look like to truly be not ashamed to share the love of God?

How would removing my hesitations and insecurities change how I treat others around me and the way I live my life? How would I proclaim His truth if I weren’t afraid of what others thought of me?

By medical diagnosis, I have two children with severe disabilities, yet I feel as though I am the one who is not able-bodied. My “disabled” children can do no other than exhibit humble truth, while I am hindered by my flesh.

As Apostle Paul wrote, “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (Romans 7:24). 

May we trust God’s promises, cling to His hope, and be not ashamed to proclaim His truths in the Holy Spirit!

“Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame. At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the Lord.” Zephaniah 3:19-20

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