How To Be Anchored In Hope Not Adrift In Anxiety

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God…Psalm 42:5a (NIV)

…remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:12-13 (NIV)

Biblical Hope Is Not ______________ ________________.

This hope [this confident assurance] we have as an anchor of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whatever pressure bears upon it]—a safe and steadfast hope that enters within the veil [of the heavenly temple, that most Holy Place in which the very presence of God dwells], Hebrews 6:19 (AMP)

Biblical Hope Is __________________ ______________________.

Let’s hold firmly to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)

Biblical Hope Is Based On The ______________ Of ______.

God made a promise to Abraham. And as there is no one greater than God, he used himself when he swore to Abraham, 14 saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” 15 Abraham waited patiently for this to happen, and he received what God promised. 16 People always use the name of someone greater than themselves when they swear. The oath proves that what they say is true, and this ends all arguing. 17 God wanted to prove that his promise was true to those who would get what he promised. And he wanted them to understand clearly that his purposes never change, so he made an oath. 18 These two things cannot change: God cannot lie when he makes a promise, and he cannot lie when he makes an oath. These things encourage us who came to God for safety. They give us strength to hold on to the hope we have been given. 19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, sure and strong. It enters behind the curtain in the Most Holy Place in heaven, 20 where Jesus has gone ahead of us and for us… Hebrews 6:13-20a (NCV)

Hope Doesn’t __________.  It ______________ Beyond The ________.

I CAN BE ANCHORED IN HOPE & NOT ANXIETY WHEN I…

• ________________ Scripture As God’s ________ To Me.

Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. 18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession. James 1:17-18 (NLT)

I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread. Job 23:12 (NIV)

• ____________ ____________ God’s Word Over All Others.

So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. James 1:21 (NLT)

God Does The ______________, But We Need Some ______________.

• __________ & ________ What God Says.

But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. James 1:22-25 (NLT)

WHAT DOES GOD SAY WHEN I’M FEELING HOPELESS?

When I experience “____________________” ____________?

No trial has overtaken you that is not faced by others. And God is faithful: He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear, but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NET)

When I have ____________________ __________________?

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem. A psalm of David. Lord, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I don’t concern myself with matters too great or too awesome for me to grasp. Psalm 131:1 (NLT)

When I am ________________ and/or __________?

The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Genesis 2:18 (NIV)

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:
10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NIV)

When I feel ________ and/or ____________________?

When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” Judges 6:12 (NIV)

When I get __________ and/or ______________________?

We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11 as you help us by your prayers. 2 Corinthians 1:8b-11a (NIV)

NOTE:  Disappointment Is The _____________ To ____________ Hope.

These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing. 2 Corinthians 4:17 (CEV)For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope… 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:4, 13 (NIV)