Hope For The Future

What can give us hope in a fallen world? Have you ever been in a situation where you see no way out? You don’t see a light at the end of the tunnel and you live life anxiously because you don’t know what the future holds?

WHAT CAN CAUSE ANXIETY?
I believe it is what we rely on in life. Do we rely on God or on our own strength and understanding? Daily we are faced with new challenges, whether it is finances, illnesses, losses or unemployment. Change always is happening around us, and most of these changes we have no control over. These changes can be emotional, mental, physical or spiritual. Who then has control over us and our situations?

HELP IS AT HAND
Personally, I find comfort in the knowledge that God is in control of my life. In seeking Him in prayer I find inner peace in spite of the trials and tribulations I face in life. When I hand over situations I have no control over, I am assured God goes before me and prepares a way out for me. The Scriptures comfort and reassure me:

Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

FINDING HOPE
Hope is a desire with a corresponding promise from God. The Word of God is His promise to us. With the knowledge of that promise we can live in hope for the future. We can be bold in hope. We can allow our faith and belief in God to make our hope a reality. The more we speak God’s Word in our lives, the more we grow in hope. I will end with some words of hope for you:

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Catherine de Valence

Catherine is a French Artist. Born on the 5 October 1965 on the Island of Mauritius and immigrated to South Africa in 1972. Studied in Mauritius and in Durban, matriculated in 1984 with a special award in Art. Obtained a National Diploma in Textile Design in 1987 and worked for a Textile company for 10 years.

Backpacked in England, Scotland, France, Spain, Italy, Germany and Switzerland; and inspired by the different cultures, art and architecture.

Moved to Cape Town in 2001 and works as a freelance designer and an artist, doing commissioned designs, painting and murals. Enjoys experimenting with different mediums and textures, giving movement to paintings.

Enjoys journaling, writing and photography, capturing life’s experiences in different forms, and sharing it with others. Has written articles for the ‘Southern Cross newspaper’ and for the ‘Joy Magazine’.
Currently residing in Durbanville, Cape Town, with husband, Pierre, and daughter Christine.