Hope

“Why am I so depressed? Why this turmoil? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise Him, my Savior and my God.” (Psalm 42:11 CSB)

Clinical depression diagnosed by a physician normally requires a medical solution. Sometimes, however, we may experience depression that is not quite that severe and is more temporary. Like a headache, it may not feel temporary, but actually it is. This kind of depression is more the result of circumstances that “get us down.” A life situation such as your job, your family, your finances, or your health can result in this kind of depression.

The psalmist went through this kind. And HOPE is what brought him through it. He put his hope in God. He DECIDED to put his hope in God. Hope, like love and trust, is basically a decision we make. We decide we are going to do it and thus do it. Indeed, a decision to put your hope in God is also a decision to love Him and trust Him.

Hope is defined in some circles as “the feeling that things will turn out for the best.” That is a rather popular view, culturally inspired. But that is not what Christians believe. We do not believe that things just turn out OK. We believe that God works all things together for good, for those who love Him and who are called according to His purposes. That is why we decide that we will put our hope in Him.

Lord, In faith and out of love for You, we put our hope in You for everything we encounter this day. Amen.