Hope, really?

This verse spoke to my heart this morning: 

   May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Romans 15:12

Just look at how many times the word hope appears there...twice...our hope, as Christians comes from the God of hope...by the power of the Holy Spirit.  The Spirit that is in us as a deposit for the coming age.   

That is my hope.  But my question this morning to myself was this:  Is my hope overflowing by the power of the Spirit?  If it isn't then why?  And, better, if it IS, then what do I do about that? 

If my hope is overflowing then I am overflowing with joy and peace that comes from trusting God.  Wow, there is a concept in these times:  trusting the God of hope....really trusting Him in all circumstances--in everything that concerns us.  Everything.  EVERY little THING. 

So much of our life is concern, isn't it?  We hardly have room in our day to 'trust' because we are so consumed with our 'concern.' (which is really worry, so stop believing the lie that they are not the same)   Stop being scared--we are certainly scared because when we stop worrying, then we give up control, and that is a very scary place to be--the anecdote for this is to practice trusting. 

I would like to point out Proverbs 3:5-6...Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

By trusting in God, and not our own wisdom, the wisdom of those around us,  the TV anchors, or the email or text message we just received, HE will make our paths straight...straight to the place He intends to teach us the most. 

It is my most recent experience that that 'place' is not always comfortable, air conditioned or smells the greatest...it isn't the most desirable, by earthly standards (here, I am reminded of Joseph when he was sold in to slavery by his 'beloved' brothers, eventually spending a couple of years in prison--go ahead, read for yourself:  Genesis 37-50) ...but it IS a place of peace and quiet understanding that He is God, Jehovah....and that's where our hope must be...completely in Him.  

Bear in mind, this is an election year, the economy could be better, our country could use more jobs, we have children that are starving--right here in the 'richest country in the world', there is domestic abuse and there are people suffering from disease...yet, ultimately, our hope cannot rest on one 'elected official's' shoulders...please, do everything you can to think 'higher' than that...try not panic about earthly matters...for our Hope is with the Lord...

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.--Habakkuk 3:17-18