Secure Hope

God desires that His children have expectations and desires that are enriching and motivating as well. The hard truth is that disappointment is inevitable in this world. So how, then, can we identify where to place our hope—and the manner to respond should it is not be fulfilled?

Hope can be said to be secure when it is aligned with the desires of the Lord, which can be found in the scriptures. Sadly,
many expectations of christians are based on their wishes or feelings. Disappointments with God take place whenever our expectations do not meet with His plans for us. Sometimes even when our hopes are based on scriptural promises, the Lord may or may not fulfill it in the manner or time that we expected it. We should always bear in mind that though God may seem inactive to us, He is actually making movements beneath the surface, preparing us for what's ahead.

The key to contentment and joy lies in placing all our personal hopes under the umbrella of our ultimate hope in the Lord. God is sovereign and good. He always wants what is best for us and never makes a mistake. His ways are higher than ours and, in many ways, beyond human understanding.

From a limited and fallen perspective, we may be like a 5-year-old who wants candy at every meal. Sometimes God has to dash our hopes in order to give us what He knows is best. Ask Him to clarify and direct your desires to coincide with His way. Then rest in His goodness and keep your hope in Him.