The Power of Hope in Daily Life

Prepare your mind for action and exercise self-control. Let the hope you have for the future and your trust in who God is get you ready to live well now. Your settled confidence that God's goodness won't end should steady your heart so you can respond well to whatever is going on around you. Don't use the hope of heaven as an excuse to hunker down and do nothing today. Instead, let it strengthen you to live a God-honoring, distinctive life that points others to Jesus.

Remember, your hope in the gracious salvation that will come when Jesus Christ is revealed should inform the way you live now. Even in the midst of suffering and grief, know that the bad won't last and the good will never end.

Here are some key takeaways to help you live a life full of hope:

• Put all your hope in God's gracious salvation. Let your knowledge of the good that won't end be the confidence that informs your daily life.

• Respond to difficulties with a hopeful heart. When you see decay and suffering, remind yourself, "I put my hope in God."

• Live a conspicuous, joy-filled life. Your life should point others to the one in whom your hope is anchored.

• Trust in the power of God working through hearts. Your hope is not in who governs or what laws are passed, but in God's transformative power.

So, every time you face discouragement, say, "I put my hope in God." Let this practice shape your perspective and actions. Live a life that is unignorable, joy-filled, and full of hope, pointing everyone to Jesus.