Wednesday, March 19, 2014

By: Rachelle Hitt Bilbo

The Curse of Hopelessness

Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keeps the law, happy is he.

Years ago, a small town in Maine was proposed for the site of a great hydroelectric plant. Since the dam would be built across the river, the entire town would be submerged. When the project was announced, the people were given many months to arrange their affairs and relocate.

During the time before the dam was built, an interesting thing occurred. All improvements ceased. No painting was done. No repairs were made on the buildings, roads, and sidewalks. Day by day, the appearance of the town grew shabbier and shabbier. Long before the waters came, the town looked uncared for and abandoned ... even though the people had not yet moved away. One citizen complained, "Where there is no faith in the future, there is no power for the present." The town was cursed with hopelessness because it had no future.

When you become hopeless in one area of your life, it can begin to affect everything... your relationships, your abilities, and your faith.

Today's verse reveals the fate of one who has no vision. We often say that as long as you have breath, you have purpose. However, the moment you stop pushing, stop believing, stop seeing that purpose...hopelessness sets in.

I challenge you today to recognize that your power and your strength come from Jesus Christ. When the waters of life threaten to crash down on your health, your finances, your relationships....know that He can redirect and dry up those threats!

Dear Lord, Help me to focus on the incredible plan that You have for my life!

I thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.

Reflection: Have I allowed a situation in my life to negatively impact other areas of my life?