God Gives Us Hope

Meditate. Think about HOPE—and your relationship with God.

This letter is from Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, appointed by the command of God our Savior and Christ Jesus, who gives us hope. 1 Timothy 1:1

Hope is the anticipation of a good thing. It usually makes us feel good…even if it is something we can’t see or touch. Hope can be a feeling that someone has for someone else. “Hope you have a great birthday!” or Hope all is going well for you. Spiritually speaking we have a hope of Rapture, Christ’s Return and Eternity in Heaven. Hope. We don’t know when those things will happen…but we are hopeful. God gives us hope—just as Paul writing to Timothy begins this letter in our scripture today.

Hope. Without hope we feel discouraged, lost and disconnected. This is the root cause of suicides—like the ones that are occurring due to this COVID pandemic. What can we do? Talk to your friend or loved one. Find out if they are serious…and have a plan. This is not a joking matter—take it seriously. Call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255. Do not leave them alone. Here are the Suicide Warning Signs from the National Institute of Mental Health website.  See that website for additional information on suicide awareness.

The behaviors listed below may be signs that someone is thinking about suicide.

·        Talking about wanting to die or wanting to kill themselves

·        Talking about feeling empty, hopeless, or having no reason to live

·        Making a plan or looking for a way to kill themselves, such as searching for lethal methods online, stockpiling pills, or buying a gun

·        Talking about great guilt or shame

·        Talking about feeling trapped or feeling that there are no solutions

·        Feeling unbearable pain (emotional pain or physical pain)

·        Talking about being a burden to others

·        Using alcohol or drugs more often

·        Acting anxious or agitated

·        Withdrawing from family and friends

·        Changing eating and/or sleeping habits

·        Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge

·        Taking great risks that could lead to death, such as driving extremely fast

·        Talking or thinking about death often

·        Displaying extreme mood swings, suddenly changing from very sad to very calm or happy

·        Giving away important possessions

·        Saying goodbye to friends and family

·        Putting affairs in order, making a will

If these warning signs apply to you or someone you know, get help as soon as possible, particularly if the behavior is new or has increased recently. If in doubt, call the Hotline, 1-800-273-8255.

Suicides are not just something that happens to veterans, to unemployed, to someone who has a crisis in their life…it can happen to children and teenagers, too. The best thing to do…in addition to helping them get immediate help is just listening to them, letting them know that you care. Everyone needs to feel that someone cares about them…to feel that someone loves them. You might be their only connection to Jesus. Jesus is the ultimate person to give them hope…a hope for a brighter future…a hope of eternal security—but most people need to feel that caring, love and security from another human being. If you are the one needing help—seek it on the Hotline, from a trusted friend or family member or Pastor. You are not alone.

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, Thank You for the hope you give us. Help us to help others that they would truly feel the love and caring of the Holy Spirit…as well that of Christians in their lives. May your love flow through us as we love our neighbors as ourselves.

Verse of Salvation ~ We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5:3-5

 Happy Birthday, Kim!

May God Continue to bless you because we are blessed.

You are the best Son-In-Law ever.

© 2021 Text, photos and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

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