WHAT CAN CAUSE YOU AND I TO FEEL HOPELESS?
Hope can evade me when I experience unbearable events.
Hope can evade me when I have unanswered questions.
Hope can evade me when I am isolated and alone.
Hope can evade me when I feel weak and inadequate.
FOUR HOPE GIVING PRACTICES THAT MARY PROVIDES:
1. I LISTEN TO WHAT GOD HAS ALREADY REVEALED.
You are my refuge and my shield; Your word is my source of hope.
Psalms 119:114 (NLT)
Hope is found when I listen to the positive parts of scripture.
In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."
Luke 1:26-28 (NIV)
Hope IS found when I listen to the problematic parts of scripture.
For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel." The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
Luke 2:30-35 NIV
But Mary kept all these words in her heart, and gave much thought to them.
Luke2:19 BBE
Truly, you will weep and mourn… but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy…
John 16:20 NLT
I've told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I've conquered the world.
John 16:33 MP
Peter arrived and went inside …and he saw and believed— for until then they hadn’t realized that the Scriptures said he would rise from the dead.
John 20:8 NLT
The point is, Before you trust, you have to listen…
Romans 10:17a (MP)
2. I ACKNOWLEDGE HOW I AM FEELING.
Mary was deeply troubled by the angel's message, and she wondered what his words meant. The angel said to her, "Don't be afraid, Mary; God has been gracious to you. You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High God. The Lord God will make him a king, as his ancestor David was, and he will be the king of the descendants of Jacob forever; his Kingdom will never end!" Mary said to the angel, "I am a virgin. How, then, will this be?" … "I am the Lord's servant," said Mary; "may it happen to me as you have said." And the angel left her.
Luke 1:29-34, 38 GNT
Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.
1 Peter 5:7 NLT
3. I HANG OUT WITH THE PEOPLE WHO CAN HELP ME.
But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
John 19:25 ESV
Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved standing there; so he said to his mother, "He is your son." Then he said to the disciple, "She is your mother." From that time the disciple took her to live in his home.
John 19:26, 27 GNT
The apostles often met together and prayed with a single purpose in mind. The women and Mary the mother of Jesus would meet with them, and so would his brothers.
Acts 1:14 CEV
I do not sit with deceitful men, nor will I go with pretenders.
Psalm 26:4 NASB
4. I TRUST AND OBEY GOD.
The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit shall come upon you, and the power of God shall overshadow you; so the baby born to you will be utterly holy—the Son of God… For every promise from God shall surely come true.” Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant, and I am willing to do whatever he wants…
Luke 1:35, 37, 38 (TLB)
Lead me by Your truth and teach me, for You are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in You.
Psalm 25:5 (NLT)