“Finding the ‘right’ circumstances isn’t the answer. Getting the right perspective on your circumstances is. Only then can you live in authentic hope.”- Chip Ingram
“The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of the foolish is in the house of pleasure.”- Ecclesiastes 7:4 (NIV)
In Chapter 5 (“The Power of Hope”) of I Choose Joy, Chip Ingram talks about four lessons that prove most helpful in challenging situations. Chip covers the first three lessons today.
1. Facing our mortality is both scary and clarifying. Certainly, the thought of death frightens us. Yet, it’s more frightening for those who don’t know their eternal destiny than for believers in Jesus. Either way, it stirs up lots of emotions about the brevity of life on earth. In addition, it causes us to clarify what’s important versus what isn’t.
2. Very few things in life matter very much. When all is well, Chip observes, it’s amazing how we fill our hearts and minds with things that matter to us. Yet, when life is on the line, we discover how little things matter.
Therefore, Pastor Ingram counsels:
“Some things in life matter very much and some don’t matter very much at all, and when you face life-threatening situations, the difference becomes very clear.”
3. C + P = E. Chip introduced this formula in a previous chapter (Circumstance + Perspective = Experience). Those who focus only on the issues always feel discouraged and overwhelmed by their struggles. However, to experience joy and live in hope, we must lift our eyes to see God’s purpose and promises.
Unfortunately, Chip states, people opt to string themselves along with faint hope. An ‘if only’ perspective they think will help them through their current problems. But that ‘if’ never comes. Because each season comes with its own unique challenges.
Today’s question: What Bible verses fill you with authentic hope? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “The oxygen of the soul – hope”