High Hopes for Hard Times
Encouraging Bible Verses - Free Words of Encouragement

Often, it’s hard to know just what to say to a loved one who is headed into danger in service to their country.

This video does a great job of not only showing why our soldiers need our support, but also in telling us what words of encouragement our soldiers need to hear from us.

I just want to warn you, though… there are some images of families in mourning in this video. But, in my eyes it’s good to be reminded of just how very valuable our loved ones are when we’re searching for a way to give them courage and hope.

Enjoy…

“Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never - in nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense.” Churchill, Address at Harrow School (October 29, 1941)

This oft-quoted line from an address given at Harrow School by Churchill in the early days of WWII is actually a highlight from an entire discourse on perseverance. If you want to read a message that conveys the man’s uncanny ability to provide hope through his words in the darkest of times, you’ll want to read the whole address.

However, I believe the words above nicely sum up what he had to say at Harrow. And, we should remember that the very message he spoke that day is the same attitude that carried the British through one of the most difficult periods in that country’s history.

So, never give in - never, never, never, never… because, in my experience at least, from such firm resolve is where hope truly springs.

18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,

19 to deliver them from death
and keep them alive in famine.

20 We wait in hope for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.

21 In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.

22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD,
even as we put our hope in you.

I love this Psalm because it offers us a promise, and also tells us something about God.

In verse 18, we’re told that God is watching over those who fear Him and who place their hope in His love.

Then, in verse 20, we’re told to “wait in hope”. Sometimes, I think waiting for God to move is the hardest thing to do when you’re hurting and afraid. We tend to want to be delivered from whatever pain or heartache we’re dealing with right away; the thing is, it’s often in the midst of that pain that the love of God is revealed.

Yes, learning to wait patiently on the Lord during our time of need is difficult… but through doing so we can also learn more about God’s love for us than we ever thought possible.

On faith:

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” - Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

On hope:

“(1)Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, (2)through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. (3)Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; (4)perseverance, character; and character, hope. (5)And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” - Romans 5:1-5 (NIV)

On worrying:

(22)Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. (23)Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. (24)Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! (25)Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? (26)Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

(27)“Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. (28)If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! (29)And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. (30)For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. (31)But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. - Luke 12:22-31 (NIV)

On God’s plan for us:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” - Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)