Everyone seems to be looking for hope- the very word "hope" stirs up thoughts of future, dreams, and peace. We all want that. But the way to really be filled with hope starts off at a "fun" place called affliction. Great! Another occasion to die to ourselves! Arg! But through these trials, we gain endurance. And if we gain endurance, we become people of our word- unwavering in our beliefs, trustworthy, integris, faithful in character. The only way to have "proven character" is to go through a test- you gotta prove it!!! Once we pass that test, we find that we now have this hope. We can't even shake it- it's not a few drops here and there- it's like it's been poured out over our hearts, touching every part, trickling into every issue, drowning every unanswered question, soaking every place of confusion, every insecurity, everything. So after going through the tough stuff, do we get answers? Not always. But we do get hope. And hope does not disappoint.

Romans 5:3-5