HOPE - From someone who can truly provide it

Scripture I'm Reflecting on:  Romans 15:13
     "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."

Reflection:
I don't have a lot to add to this verse as I think it speaks for itself.  I felt strongly that I needed to post it however, because God put it on my heart to read this verse tonight, and it really has instantly become one of my favorite verses, one that I really need to read regularly.  If reading this verse one extra time can brighten someone's day as much as it did mine, then I feel satisfied in posting it despite how short this reflection will be.

Hope is not only something we all want, but something we all need.  Hope is meant to be a powerful word, because it is such an important part of our lives.  The strategic use of this word had a huge impact on our current President being elected 4 years ago.  While its not necessarily wrong to look to an election, a single man, for hope... our true problems, our true hope, can only come from one source.  God.  Sadly, we all have tendencies to look for hope in the wrong places.  Know anyone who plays the lotto on a regular basis, just for the "hope" of possibly being able to quit their terrible job one day?  I can't deny that I bought a lotto ticket a few times after a bad day at the office.  I'm sure you we can all think of an example on our lives where we sought hope in the wrong place at one time.

Some of us are more optimistic, more hopeful than others.  This verse really helps me because I tend to be at the bottom of the optimism ladder.  Instead of finding hope, I usually find ways that things will not work out in both my personal or professional life.  But this verse alone, gives me hope.  Hope that I will find out what career path God has planned for me.  Hope that I am going to find the relationship God has planned for me.  Hope for today, hope for tomorrow, hope for happiness in the future.

I admittedly have been close to giving up hope a few times on some things in the last month.  Luckily, the Lord led me to this verse at the perfect time tonight.  I feel real hope now, and know through continued prayer that this is something that can be a permanent thing.  I wish I could truly describe the real amazing feeling of hope this passage has put on my heart right now (enough to where I was inspired to write this on a night where I had intention of sleep over blogging :)).

Final Thought:
Sometimes we try to trick ourselves in finding ways to have hope.  While this isn't necessarily a bad way to put a positive spin on circumstances in our life, the only way we will find true hope is (as Paul says), to "trust in Him."  By doing this, we will be "overflown" with true hope... that will lead to true happiness.

Where do you need hope right now?  I know I need hope in a few areas of my life right now.  What's my plan to deal with this?  Simple after reading this.  Prayer, trust in God, Prayer, faith, and more Prayer.