Never Disappoints

Let us rejoice in our hope and the confident assurance of [experiencing and enjoying] the glory of [our great] God [the manifestation of His excellence and power].3 And not only this, but [with joy] let us exult in our sufferings and rejoice in our hardships, knowing that hardship (distress, pressure, trouble) produces patient endurance;4 and endurance, proven character (spiritual maturity); and proven character, hope and confident assurance [of eternal salvation].5 Such hope [in God’s promises] never disappoints us, because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Romans 5:2-5 AMP

Patient endurance? Why does it need to be so difficult to develop our character and our hope? Not only is it a difficult time of life when this is being developed in us, but we are asked, by God, to rejoice and exult with joy! This all seems so counter-intuitive. Like how are we supposed to go against ALL that feels natural? I want to just sit and have a pity party or I just want to throw in the towel and give up!

The amazing thing is the end of this portion of scripture. In verse 5 Paul says that “hope in God’s promises never disappoints us, because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

The phrase “never disappoints” is a very large statement. As humans, we have never even closely experienced never being disappointed; in people, things, situations, or even ourselves.  Some people’s lives might seem smoother and easier than others, but somewhere along the way there comes disappointment. So when we hear that hoping in God’s promises will never disappoint, we kind of try to conceptualize this within our frame of reference, which is flawed. But we can rest in the truth of God truly never disappointing us. He is perfect and His ways are perfect.

Something that I have fought for and have gained so much freedom in is keeping my ‘hope’ in Christ. The scripture in Hebrews which talks about our hope in Christ being an anchor for our soul has been my battle cry for many years! So now I am grappling with the idea that hardship, distress, pressure, trouble… all produce in me more hope and more mature perspective and understanding of my Savior. This is definitely not a complete process, but I have seen is small ways and big ways that this hope truly does NOT disappoint.

The bottom line for me is to keep my eyes lifted during the storm, difficulty, seemingly impossible situations we all face at times. As soon as I drop my head and sit while I wallow or threaten to just walk away and give up, I find the difficulty gets harder but even worse the hopelessness creeps in. As long as my head and my heart are lifted to the Father, I can see the hope; I can feel His love being poured into my heart!

I never want to sink or give up. I am a fighter and I am a person who hopes ferociously in the ONE who made me and the ONE who promised fullness of life.