Raising Hope and Removing Fear
[NOTE: This is a lesson from the House of Wisdom 30-Day Devotional. Sign up to receive your copy of the devotional resource]_________
Proverbs 10:24, The fears of the wicked will be fulfilled; the hopes of the godly will be granted.
Fear and hope are strangely related. A lot of the negative things that happen to people are often attributed to fate, to the devil, to other people, and even to God.
While there is certainly no such thing as “mind over matter,” there is the reality of “mind over self.” Hopes and fears move us to action both extrinsically (outward) and intrinsically (inward). Hope and fear also motivate us consciously and unconsciously.
Hope and fear are related because both are based in expectation. Hope expects a good outcome. Fear expects danger and harm. People who live in fear will take unusual measures to guard against imagined threats and dangers. People who have hope will take measures to secure their dreams and bring to pass what they see in their hearts and minds.
Our Scripture text refers to the fears of the “wicked.” Is it possible for the godly to have fear? The answer is yes, and the godly won’t experience better outcomes if operating in fear.
We should only focus on the hopes that God wants to grant to the godly. So trust Him and live a godly life through Christ.
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Reflection Question: What are 1-3 hopes you expect to be granted?
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