I was sketching this motel for fun and named it Hope Inn because I've been thinking about that topic lately.
I used to feel optimistic about most things, like job interviews and dating for example. Sure I felt nervous, but opportunities often seemed to work out. Over time, however, my feelings began to change. The positive outcomes didn't always remain positive.
After several such changes, I began to lose confidence in things working out. Gradually my past mistakes led me to become more cautious, like the person in Proverbs 26:13 NIV who says, “There’s a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets!” Not literally a lion of course, but various dangers. For example, as mentioned in a prior post, I was troubled watching the news. Though statistically news events may be rare, they show awful things that happen to ordinary people. I realized my stress was a problem from scriptures like this one: "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV). Yet, night and day, anxious thoughts could trouble me and despite much prayer and effort, I was not sure how to change the way I felt.
Then one day after journaling about my concerns, I suddenly began to write line after line and page after page, starting with "I hope..."! Since then, I try to counter fearful, anxious thoughts with what I hope could happen instead. After all, best case scenarios are possible too.
I never imagined "hope" would require such effort and determination though. Anxiety can surface like a bad habit, while forcing my thoughts from imminent fears to "wishful thinking" still feels unnatural. However, with practise it gets easier and I'm starting to discover that many hopes actually come to pass.
These scriptures help assure me that hope is both a sign of growth, and a good choice:
Romans 5:3-5 (NKJV) 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 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.
Proverbs 10:24 (NIV) What the wicked dread will overtake them; what the righteous desire will be granted.
