Tag Archives: utopia

Hope verses Heart-break

Anticipation, day dreaming and utopia are synonyms for hope.  Like an anxious child eager to open presents on Christmas morning, hope is like a promise waiting to be unwrapped.  The only problem is sometimes the hype doesn’t live up to your own expectations.

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer, Romans 12:12.

When desires are unfulfilled, a wave of agony, dire and sadness replace inner joy.  In these moments of disappointment, its easy to overreact.  However, if you are not careful, heart-break can lead to depression.  If healing does not occur, hope can fade like the setting sun.

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit, Psalm 34:18.

If this blog finds you down in the dumps or recovering from a broken heart, the Bible provides two words of encouragement.  The first urges individuals to rely on prayer in times of trouble.  Prayer serves as a source of hope.  Meanwhile, if your spirit has been crushed by a relationship, tragedy or uncertainty don’t lose hope.  God promises to surround you with either angels, friends or strangers to get you through the tough times in life.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

Hope on Trial

An optimist will view hope as expecting the bright side with rose colored glasses.  Meanwhile, the pessimist will suggest hope is a pipe dream, some sort of utopia that no longer exists.  Thus, whenever an actor, actress or politician expresses reliance on an unseen God, hope is put on trial.

And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today, Acts 26:6.

When asked to address charges made by the Jewish officials, the apostle Paul suggests that his trial is based upon his hope in God’s promises.  Unable to recognize Jesus as their Messiah and Savior of the world, tradition prevented religious leaders of Paul’s day from seeing the fulfillment of the Old Testament Scriptures.  Thus, his new found faith was put on trial.

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, Deuteronomy 31:6.

To keep hope alive today from being put to death, the faith community must take hold of the words of Moses.  Despite what your critics may say, cling to this promise of God going with you throughout life.  Therefore, do not give up this fight, to protect hope.  Rather, lean on God’s faithfulness by living out your faith daily.

by Jay Mankus