30 Day Course on Faith - Day 15

Faith and Hope

          "Man can live about 40 days without food, about three days without water,
           about  eight minutes without air, but only for one second without hope."
           ~Unknown

           "The brighter our hope, the greater our faith. The stronger our hope, the
           purer our charity." ~Dieter F. Uchtdorf

           "Hope is trust in God's promises, faith that if we act now, the desired
           blessings will be fulfilled in the future." ~James E. Faust

My favorite definition of hope is: to expect with confidence.  Hope is the reason we do a lot of the things we do.  We make choices to eat healthier and exercise because we hope we can become healthier.  We practice a sport or an instrument because we hope we can get better.

When we need some hope for our future, we can look to the example of others, or even to our own past.  Have there been times in our past when we have been able to work for a better result?  Then we can be assured that we can work hard in our present for a better result in our future.

          "Because God has been faithful and kept His promises in the past,
          we can hope with confidence that God will keep His promises to us
          in the present and in the future." ~Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Victor Hugo wrote a powerful story, "Les Miserables." The main character, Jean Valjean has just been released after being imprisoned for 19 years - 5 years for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his starving sister and her family and 14 years for escape attempts.  He is marked as a convict and is unable to find lodging or work.  He is angry and bitter -- you could definitely say he was without hope!

Then he is given shelter by a bishop, who treats him with great kindness and generosity. Bitter and hopeless, he slips away before dawn, taking with him the silver from the rectory table.  The police capture him and return him to the Bishop's home.  Myriel tells the police that not only was the silverware freely given, but that Valjean had forgotten to take the two candlesticks that went with it.

After the police leave, Myriel tells the ex-convict: "Jean Valjean, my brother, you belong to no longer to evil but to good." Jean Valjean's life is completely altered and he goes on to live a life filled with charity and forgiveness.

There is a lot more to this story (I highly recommend the movie if you haven't seen it!), but I love how a man without any hope was able to turn his life around.  In difficult times we can look to others who have held on to faith and hope during difficult times, and have been greatly blessed because of it!

Take a few minutes and think of people you know personally (including yourself) who have been through difficult times.  Think about how hope carried them through and take a few minutes to feel grateful that you will always be carried through difficult times, too!

           "Hope never abandons you. You abandon it." ~George Weinberg

           "Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by
           people who have kept on trying when there seemed no hope at all."
           ~Dale Carnegie

Daily Challenge: Every day for 30 days in a row, 

I want you to say the following out loud at least 10 times each day!!!  

Be sure to say it cheerfully and enthusiastically!  

This scripture is found in Philippians 4:13:

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” 

You've now completed this challenge 15 days in a row!
Be sure to congratulate yourself -- you are now halfway through the 30 days!