Hope by Suzaan Maree

It is that miraculously intangible thing that motivates the human spirit to believe that a beautiful thing awaits beyond the next horizon.

I once heard a lady tell the story of driving home and drawing a beautiful analogy from it. It was a journey of a few hours, just enough time to reflect on everything that was not going her way in her life.

It was winter and the usually lush landscape was barren, to suit her outlook.  As she watched the empty trees wizz by she noticed something that seemed entirely out of place.  There were blossoms on the bare branches, some of them were even budding.  It seemed entirely strange, it hadn’t rained yet, it was still winter!  God encouraged her with a sentiment she shared with us.

Blossoms herald the coming spring, they signalled for her that our Father brings reprieve before winters end.  He gives us hope before any of our circumstances signal that we have any right to hope for something different or better.

That is just the nature of His character, while we are still immersed by the seemingly insurmountable He reminds us that His promises are true.  For those who seek Him with all their hearts, He has “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jer 29:11-NIV).

When you are experiencing winter and the blossoms of hope appear, please ensure that you surround yourself with people who encourage that hope.  “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Rom 15:13-NIV).

“Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And HOPE does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” (Rom 5:3-5-NIV).