8 - al and jean To the battle weary soldiers of the cross.

The most important thing in life is hope. You can’t get anywhere without it.

Psalms 42:11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Why art thou cast down?

This is my question. Quite often I find myself struggling with my emotions. I am disappointed with a setback. I am stopped in my tracks. My question is: “Why is this happening to me?” The Bible answer for me is hope. This takes me off the roller coaster and puts my feet on the ground.

I have learned. Phillipans 4:11 for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. The apostle Paul said: “I have learned to be content.” Paul said he learned this. He learned it through experience. Experience taught him. Hope is a mental attitude independent of our surroundings. Mental attitudes are learned. They are taught in the Bible. The Bible will inspire us to learn how to be content in all times. The key is to think in the right direction. Think toward God. Do not think toward fear.

Jesus said, John 14:27. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you.---Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Notice: Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Jesus taught us ways for doing this. The first thing is what not to do. Don't justify your feelings. That's the worst thing you can do. Justifying yourself weakens you. You need to arrest your feelings. Do it with a scripture from your memory bank. Jeremiah said "This I recall to mind therefore have I hope." You need a recall data base of scripture.

God has it in mind to anchor our soul in a hope that is both sure and stedfast. Hope makes us not ashamed of our convictions. In fact, hope strengthens our convictions.