Pursuing the Power of Hope

(Photo: Unsplash)

Choosing a word companion each new year provides a singular focus within the events of that year. God revealed my 2023 word a few months ago, weaving a three-fold cord with my 2021 One Word, Joy, 2022 One Word Resilience and newcomer Hope as the 2023 One Word candidate. Pursuing the power of Hope throughout 2023 involves trusting the strength of this three-fold cord woven by God.

At times, a myopic vision of life obscures the hand of God as it carefully weaves events, trials, significant moments, and even the mundane vicissitudes of life into meaningful cords binding our hearts to His.

Experiencing God move me from a place of timid happiness to scandalous Joy in Christ, forging a deeper trust in Him, resulting in Resilience, which birthed a relentless Hope, positioned me for my 2023 One Word Journey.

becoming acquainted with hope

one larger white stone with the word "hope" written in purple among other colored stones.

As I pondered pursuing the power of Hope in this new year, many aspects flooded my mind. After all, one of the facets of my work here at Serenity in Suffering involves speaking Hope into our suffering.

No stranger to Hope, my mind began looking at my new friend from a perspective of getting better acquainted.

Romans 5:1-5 illustrated the three-fold cord God wove with Joy, Resilience, and Hope, which became my starting point.

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

Highlighting the words which illustrate Joy, Resilience, and Hope, either directly or in a nuanced form, I saw God’s hand over the past two years with my One Word journeys, leading me head on into Hope for 2023.

headstart with hope

While last year’s start with Resilience seemed a bit slow, Hope poured out of my heart and into my writing like a waterfall after the rain.

two hands in a tan sweater holding a red foam heart

My first post of the year, “A New Year: A Book of Blank Pages” introduced Hope, followed by “Cultivating Hope in the New Year”, and “The Key to Overcoming Overwhelm”, followed by two more posts to come on the topic of Hope on January 23rd and January 30th!

Since Hope rests deeply within Joy and Resilience, God tenderly hid my new friend within my heart until the time was right for a full embrace.

pursuing the power of hope

Already off to a good start pursuing the power of Hope in 2023, I anticipate a robust journey of discovery in the months ahead.

For as Romans 8:24-25 reminds me, we are saved by Hope, but not a Hope which we see, but one which boasts so much more.

Taking the first timid steps into 2023, I grasp the sovereign hand of the God of Hope, while holding fast within my heart the Joy which fuels resilience through choosing to view God’s goodness as mercy in trials.

Subsequently leaning into God on every hard path, as Hope binds me nearer my Lord to Thee.

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”

Romans 15:13

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