It's about that time to gather around the Christmas tree with hot chocolate, winter clothes, warm smiles and an eagerness of what this season provides. Times with family, friends and loved ones, have a way of lifting spirits and often lessening the load on our shoulders on a daily basis. I want to encourage you, there is hope to be received. However, the choice to receive that hope is ours. Today, I am speaking primarily to those who are feeling hopeless and are in need of hope during this season of holidays. I want to share a few truths that have helped me over time. I have realized that perspective is key to living a life full of hope and moving through tough times.

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life." - Prov. 13:12

I love the image of a tree that is fulfilled with life; a tree that is strong, steady, thriving and full of nourishment. The hope I am talking about here is not just an expectation, or a great idea of, "One day"... Jesus is our hope. According to this verse, we can allow hope to remain in our heart in such a way, that we live out of a healthy place mentally and spiritually. We can live strong, steady and thriving, full of God's word.

Living full of hope is a choice, we have to choose which life and attitude we want for ourselves. Hope doesn't have to do with our circumstances, bills, let downs, promotions... Hope has to do with a constant relationship, and fellowship with our King Jesus. WE can choose every day to allow Him to restore dreams, excitement, and fulfillment in our lives.

So how do we approach these holidays with Jesus being our center and focus? Here are a few things that I am practicing to stay steady, strong, and full of nourishment from God's word! Hope is a choice and choosing against disappointment is possible! Jesus wants us to find our hope, joy and life in Him! Without Him, we are all decaying and lifeless in every aspect.

So here we go:

Hope factor number 1: Matthew 9:29. As hard as it may seem, Choose Faith. Choose to Hope again. When times of stress, complaints or ungratefulness knocks on the door to your heart, Choose Faith. Choose Hope.

Hope factor number 2: Perspective. Often having a narrow perspective can get me so single minded, that I forget that in the midst of the situation, God is working out a bigger plan, I just can't see it and often times don't care to focus on that. Asking for His thoughts, His will to be done, and realizing that I can't figure everything out, takes that pressure of perfection off! Its great and wonderful to know that I don't make His will happen in my life... I walk it out. Walk His will out. This will bring you great Hope and joy!

Hope factor number 3: Help someone that is in more need than you. This truth always helps me regain focus. People need you my friend; people need the Jesus that you know.

My prayer is that during this holiday season, you would allow the Love of God to bring hope, strength and ultimate thankfulness into your heart. I pray that just as you have received hope, you would give that same hope to someone else! Our world needs hope and we were meant to bring that gift to others. You're an answer to someone's hopelessness!

Much Love,

Meg