| When visiting prisons, I am consistently guided by a singular mindset: to carry and promote hope. Not just any hope, but the enduring hope found in God.
In reflecting on the meaning of hope, two powerful acronyms stand out:
‘Holding Onto God’s Promises Everyday’ and ‘Having Only Positive Expectations.’
Both capture the essence of a mindset rooted in faith and trust.
As written in Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV): ‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.’
This verse reminds us that God’s plans for our lives may differ from our own expectations or those imposed by others. His plans are greater—designed to lead us toward a future filled with hope and peace.
Even in life’s most difficult seasons—the dry, barren moments—we can trust that God is able to bring renewal, creating rivers in desolate places. In the wilderness seasons, marked by confusion and hardship, He makes pathways where none seem possible. Though circumstances may feel overwhelming, God provides a peace that surpasses all understanding.
It is important to remember that the seasons and episodes of our lives are not full stops—they are commas. In grammar, a full stop signifies an end, while a comma offers a pause, a moment to breathe, and a choice to continue. Likewise, in life, these pauses are opportunities to realign our perspective and choose hope.
In these moments, we are invited to embrace hope—to hold onto God’s promises daily and to maintain positive expectations for what lies ahead.
Let every pause in life be a place where hope is renewed—a place of peace, faith, and continued purpose. |
Sandra Wallace is a PF Trustee and volunteer.
