“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.”
- Romans 15:13 ESV
I don’t understand everything my human does.
For instance, he’ll sit on the porch smiling at sunsets one evening and staring at his work laptop the next.
Sometimes he sings along with worship songs while fixing breakfast.
Other times he bows his head a little longer before he eats, and I can tell by the sound of his voice that the weight he’s carrying isn’t the kind you can fetch or bury in the backyard.
Now, me? I’m a dog.
Hope is usually pretty simple.
I hope bacon falls off the plate.
I hope someone accidentally leaves the pantry door open.
I hope my human comes home and plays ball with me.
But over the years, stretched out beside my human’s chair, I’ve noticed something.
His hope isn’t tied to whether the fish are biting, the ballgame is won, or the bank account looks healthy.
Because life changes.
The phone rings with hard news.
Doctors shake their heads.
Dreams get delayed.
People disappoint us.
Even old dogs wake up a little stiffer than they used to.
Yet somehow, my human keeps getting back up.
He opens that worn Bible.
He whispers prayers in the dark.
He sings songs that don’t always match the circumstances.
And I’ve learned it’s because his hope has a name.
Jesus.
The world says hope is wishful thinking… that “maybe things will work out.”
But biblical hope is confidence rooted in God’s character.
Because Jesus walked out of the grave, we know sorrow doesn’t have the final word.
Because He is faithful, today’s troubles don’t define tomorrow’s story.
Romans 15:13 says God doesn’t just give hope—He is the God of hope. He fills His children with joy and peace as they trust Him, causing hope to overflow through the Holy Spirit.
Overflow.
I know a little about overflowing. That’s what happens when someone fills my water bowl too high.
But imagine a heart so full of Jesus that hope spills over into fearful days, difficult seasons, and uncertain tomorrows… and onto the lost world around us.
That’s the kind of hope I see in my human.
The kind that cries and still trusts.
The kind that waits and still believes.
The kind that says, “I don’t know what tomorrow holds, but I know Who holds tomorrow.”
So today, whether you’re chasing dreams or simply trying to make it through another hard week, keep your eyes on Jesus.
The leash may feel tight.
The path may be muddy.
But the Shepherd walks ahead of you.
And if an old lazy dog has learned anything lying at His feet, it’s this:
In good times and trying times, our hope isn’t found in better circumstances.
Our hope is found in Christ.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank You for being our sure and steady hope. Fill us with joy and peace as we trust in You. Help us overflow with hope that points others to You, no matter what season we’re walking through. Amen.
Keep the Faith… Carpe Diem
