Holding Out Hope | Romans 4:16-21

Hoping against hope is characterized by the contradictory nature of living in hope. We are forced to wrestle with our own inability to accomplish ultimate things and our deep need for God to act on our behalf. When everything seems impossible, only hope can sustain us. Only hope can conquer despair.

The Glory of Hope | Romans 5:1-5

The glory of hope is characterized by the one who begins to see the way through. There is a way through the pain and suffering, and we can see that perseverance will give way to character and a deeper trust in God. Only the glory of hope can empower us to endure.

Unseen Hope | Romans 8:18-25

Unseen hope is characterized by the deep longing for what is good and right. There is a yearning that we may not even be able to locate or verbalize, but we hope for what we cannot yet see. Unseen hope helps us grow patient and wait for God in our longing.

Patient Hope | Romans 12:9-13

Hope is relational. It changes the way we live with others. Our present situation might not be all we want it to be, but still, we pursue prayer, personal holiness, and patience for the people in our lives. Patient hope keeps us from bitterness and empowers us to be healthy people.