Fall is here and winter is on its way. This is my time for reflection and renewal. The anticipation of Christ’s coming brings me comfort with feelings of Hope for the coming year. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” is my mantra of anticipation.

However, there’s actually more encouragement in this verse. Paul wrote these words while facing some of the worst trials of his life. Despite the threat of pain and death, he realized that God gives us strength in ways that go beyond the good times and the not so good moments. The strength of Christ reaches right down into our turmoil and pain. And it’s there that we can truly do “all things.”

Romans 12:12
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Psalm 33:20-22
We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in you.

Shared by Brenda Walker