Day 7 – Hope Empowers Your Purpose

“Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” Romans 8:27-28 (NKJV).

Hope implies that there is the possibility of a better future, it will show up at the worst possible time when things are dire and difficult but can keep us going during those hard moments. If during the difficulty, we can see the faint glimmer of something better, then hope “opens us up,” says one Psychology Researcher. And turn us toward something better. Hope is not a passive exercise in wishing, but an active approach to life, arising when there is something we want when we've got a clear goal in mind. And though it may be tough going, we’ll develop a plan to get us closer to where we want to go. When seeking your true passion, there will always be problems or obstacles that come up and hold you back. Pressure from outside influences is often the root cause that leads people down life paths they don’t enjoy. Hope is motivating and it’s not a delusion of wishing things away, but a clarity of vision. Once you have your goal in mind, then you can get busy doing the things you need to get there. “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus” 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 (NKJV).

It helps me feel more empowered and less stressed, also looking at the challenges believers face, the hostility and adversity that seems to be seeping into the corners of our culture, the hope that we can make a positive difference in our families and communities can help us do it. Can help us move from the negative into something a little better. Hopelessness is dangerous because it leads to feelings of powerlessness. Like the word hope, we often think of power as negative.

It’s not. The best definition of power comes from Martin Luther King Jr. He described power as the ability to effect change. That resonates for me. If that doesn’t sit well for you, ask yourself: how do you feel when you believe that you are powerless to change something in your life? Powerlessness is dangerous. This can give us a feeling of desperation. We need resilience and hope and a spirit that can uplift us through the doubt and fear. Hopeful people believe they can influence their goals, that their efforts can have a positive impact. They are also more likely to make healthy choices to eat better or exercise or do the other things that will help them move toward what they are hoping for. “That by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil”Hebrews 6:18-19 (NKJV).

Empowerment is the process of encouraging an individual to think, behave, manage, take action and make decisions toward their career goals. Being empowered means feeling in control of your own work environment and knowing you are trusted to make decisions about your responsibilities. Empowerment helps moves one toward purpose, while hope can’t be viewed as delusional. It isn’t denial, it doesn't ignore the real challenges. Appreciate the setbacks and move through them, it is not woo-woo thinking. Hope is strengthened exponentially when you hit a setback and you persist despite it. Next time you run up against one, pay attention to what it offers you, a growth opportunity, a chance to learn something you need to know to accomplish your goals; then move through that challenge. Empowerment is the practice of sharing authority, information and rewards with others. Empowerment means controlling your own work environment and using your skills and talents in a way that benefits you and your organization, leading to more productivity and better outcomes. “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” Romans 5:3-5 (NKJV).

Life is a direct reflection of your beliefs. If you want a better outcome, then create it. Your opportunities for new hope and change are boundless, and it all starts within you. Empowerment can also be thought of as a personal work philosophy and strategy. Empowerment should enable people to take initiative, make decisions and solve problems. Hope can help us manage stress and anxiety and cope with adversity. It contributes to our well-being and happiness and motivates positive action. It’s your life, so focus on your race. Instead of worrying about the competition, focus on the ball that is directly in front of you. Hope empowers you to move aggressively towards your goals. If you spend your time doubting your skills, the only thing you will be actively perfecting is your ability to doubt yourself. Your actions follow your thoughts. Shift all that time focusing on doubting yourself to believing in yourself. If you can dream something up, then it is in the realm of your possibility to make it happen. To empower yourself, collaborate don’t compete. You must show yourself that you have what it takes to be resourceful when going for your goals. If you worry about the competition, what they are and aren’t doing, then you lose track of the importance of what you’re doing. Empowerment has nothing to do with competition, it has everything to do with contribution. “We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” Romans 15:1-4 (NKJV).