HOPE…
“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.”
~Desmond Tutu
Scripture:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
~Romans 15:13
Perspective:
This week seems fitting for a devotional on HOPE! The country, and even the world, is in such a place of uncertainty. COVID numbers are always rising somewhere, Germany, France, and the U.K. just started another total lockdown; a variety of dates are being talked about for a saving-vaccine yet last week a researcher said it will take time until we really have an effective vaccine; the education system is a mess with kids falling behind because of remote learning, even kids who never struggled before; riots and looting are going on around our country due to racism resulting in far too many deaths; wildfires are burning throughout the western United States; and to top it all off, amidst one of the worst hurricane seasons in history, we are choosing a President who will run our country for the next 4-years, from two very different, obviously flawed candidates! Plus, we all still have our own adversity and trials that we must manage each day. Times are tentative and unnerving to say the least, yet one thing remains certain and consistent: God. God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it (Numbers 23:19)?
The one thing we can hold onto, because of an unchanging, all-knowing God who loves us deeply, is hope, hope for a better tomorrow. The Biblical definition of hope is the confident expectation of what God has promised with its strength in His faithfulness. The Bible also promises us trials and tribulation but with faith and hope we can learn, grow, and change into our best self from the hardest of times. And we can and should learn to lean on God since our strength and understanding does not come close to His. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me (2 Corinthians 12:9).
I truly believe there is a silver lining in every trial; I’ve had many trials throughout my life and something good and/or useable has come from each one, even if it was a tough lesson or a new appreciation of life, and even if it took a little time to uncover it. Uncertainty can certainly be uncomfortable for people, we like to have the feeling of “being in control,” but hope can make that journey a bit easier, the assurance that God IS in control and will use all He allows, all we go through, for our ultimate good. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).
Nothing is impossible. No matter how awful today feels, tomorrow can bring the positive change you have been hoping, praying, and waiting for! That change, or miracle, can come out of the gloomiest of circumstances. But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). We never know how close we are to reaching something until we actually get there. There are many success stories throughout history that encountered rejection after rejection or failure after failure until they finally achieved success, in God’s perfect timing. If they gave up, they would never have known just how close they were. Just look at Steven King…his manuscript, Carrie, which he wrote at night from a makeshift desk in the laundry room of his trailer, was rejected 30 times until he was finally offered a book deal…most people may have doubted themselves and given up long before that. And look at Thomas Edison who said, “Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.” From 1878-1880, Edison and his associates worked on more than 3,000 different theories to develop an efficient incandescent lamp; although his associates became frustrated and gave up, Edison persisted and refused to give up. He even thought to use tungsten, a material that is used in light bulbs today but did not have the proper tools to do so.
I have said it before and I am sure I will say it again because it is so crucial to remember, our thoughts are immensely powerful! So, knowing life is an uncertain road filled with difficulty and danger, what are you choosing to think about? What are you choosing to seek? We cannot stop thoughts from entering our mind, however, we can choose what we continue to think about. Doing so may take practice but is well worth the effort. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things (Philippians 4:8). Your life will naturally move in the direction of your thoughts, it is a self-fulfilling prophesy. So, whether you think you can or think you can’t, you will probably be right.
Live life with intentionality; what you do each day is building the life you will live, one day at a time. Refuse to give up. Remember that when one door closes, the reason for that happening is that another will be opening! The question is, will you be ready to see and utilize that open door. So, knowing that we do not know what tomorrow will bring, are you putting in the effort to prepare yourself for the dreams you have, for what you want for your future? Each day is an opportunity to prepare for your future, a future that will come whether you are ready for it or not. Do not let a detour knock you off course; continue to work toward your goals, one step at a time and one day at a time, despite the road conditions you will face along the way. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9). Commit to and then use your self-discipline to work toward what you want most NOT what you want in the moment. Stretch yourself upward, toward your dreams and goals, and you will begin to create momentum and in time see progress, be persistent. Do not let your fears be bigger than your dreams, goals, and purpose. Choose to live your life with an “I CAN” attitude!
Life Applications:
> First, take inventory of your thoughts. This week do periodic spot checks throughout each day as to what you are thinking about. What are you dwelling on? Is it the negative events from the day, in your life, and in the world? Or is it what is right and good around you? What you think about, you will find. Did you ever notice when you get a new car in a certain color, you suddenly see them everywhere? Or if you go through a breakup, you abruptly realize how many couples there seem to be all around you?
>> Next, write down what is troubling you. Write down what aspects of those troubles you can control. Then write down possible solutions.
>>> Plan your next best move. What can YOU DO to make positive changes where you can within your current circumstances? Sometimes all we can change is our perspective or our attitude, so then do that, do what YOU CAN in this moment. Each move creates a new view filled with new ideas and possibilities.
>>>> Checkout this link for more details and inspiration:
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
~Romans 12:12
Noelle Picozzi
My name is Noelle (Rousseau) Picozzi. I have a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Barry University (Miami Shores, FL) and a Master’s Degree in Education from Le Moyne University (Syracuse, NY). I have worked with children, adolescents, families, and adults in a variety of settings since 1993 when I first became an active volunteer for my local rape crisis center. After 50 years in the Northeast, I currently reside in North Carolina with my husband and 3 children who are 18, 12, and 11; in September my first baby leaves the nest for college, which is certainly bittersweet! Many of the skills I learned in my academic and professional life, I have put to good use in the last 14 years as a stay-at-home mom; my husband, myself, and my 3 children all have ADHD/ADD and Anxiety to varying degrees. My life motto has always been, “Grow, Learn, and Change” for as long as I can remember; my book of choice has always been, self-help. I grew up as the youngest child of immigrant parents, my father was an alcoholic, I struggled with undiagnosed ADHD, and wore very thick glasses growing up in a time when being bullied was a dirty, shameful secret, I have lost my parents and 2 brothers; life started as a challenge and hasn’t stopped since. Needless to say, there aren’t many scenarios I have heard from clients, students, and friends that I cannot relate to in some way directly or indirectly. I have a lifelong passion for and commitment to self-growth, which probably started out of necessity/survival mode. I began my research on current educational trends in December shortly after I began substitute teaching and stumbled upon Carol Dweck and the Growth Mindset. Although my focus for this website is on the growth mindset in education, this way of thinking, feeling and acting applies to and can benefit all areas of life! Keep your eyes open for my blog (Coming soon! : ), my first book: The Growth Mindset Daily Journal, and lots of other growth mindset projects!