One of my favorite verses is Jeremiah 29:11. It says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” It’s such a hope-inducing verse because it makes it sound like God has all kinds of great things in store for us.

There are times I’m most certain that I know exactly when God should make his appearance, and what he should do when he gets here. But hope believes that God knows better than me what he should or shouldn’t do…and when.

Some people like to think of a particular destination or place as the goal of life. But I’m wondering if Jesus intends for us to think that love is the goal.

"We're certain our struggles are different from the struggles that other people have. But we listen to their stories anyway. And slowly we learn that our paths are similar. Our problems are not unique, after all."

Let’s trust that whatever we’re going through now, God is making us more and more to be like his son, Jesus.

You might be in the middle of something right now and it seems like it’d be a great time for God to answer your prayers. I believe a big part of hope is waiting…and waiting patiently.

"I think we like to talk a lot about being brave because the actual doing of it is so terrifying. It’s my belief that true fearlessness comes from living loved."

Hope believes you are making progress, too. Even if it seems like you’re only making tiny steps of progress, take note of them. Look back and see that you are not where you used to be, and don’t give up.

God can infuse your life with joy and peace as you believe…and as a result your hope will overflow.

There’s a freedom that comes from seeking only to bring pleasure to God, and not worrying about everyone else and what they might think.