Devotion – Hope Casts Out Fear

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy & peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

Having just been through a period of fear & uncertainty as to whether my back had deteriorated yet again in another area, I recognize how much I hold onto the hope that God gives me.

Fearing that my life might be spiraling towards another surgery, or just further limitations, I spent many sleepless nights & more energy worrying than I should have.

These verses remind me that no matter what the circumstances, I still always have hope. God has given us a hope that can fill us with joy & peace, because we trust all of the fears & problems to Him.

Now it looks as though the setbacks I was having are only temporary, so hopefully, not nearly as bad as I was envisaging during those pain-filled, wakeful nights. As I read these verses again today, I thought of how much mental & emotional effort I wasted in that worry, when I should just have been trusting in my God of hope.

It’s easier to acknowledge that wasted effort, than it is to change it at the time when I’m so focused on the current problem, but I want my life to be overflowing with hope & giving joy & peace, not only to me, but those around me as well.

Holding on to that hope that only comes from God, can mean that the fears I have for my future & the things that keep me awake at night, will not have such power over me.

I know that I will probably worry again the next time some physical setback occurs – I’m human – but God has promised to be there with me, whatever happens – & that gives me hope to face tomorrow.

About the Author:
Fiona Burrows lives in Melbourne, Australia. She is thankful for the things God is teaching her as she lives with chronic pain. She enjoys finding time for reading, writing, travel & photography.