Hope Stealers

Dr. Stanley gives us some "Hope Stealers" that will distract us:

  1. Criticism of other people. Hannah was constantly provoked by Peninnah because she could not give birth to a son for her husband. If you listen to these people, and let them take your thoughts or your attention from God, you will give up. You will begin to believe those people instead of God. People that criticize you and your hopes do so, not because they really think the thing you're hoping for is a bad idea, but because they have their own insecurities. Their feelings of jealousy, envy, and poor self-esteem, will cause them to attack you. They do not have the courage, or feel that they do not deserve God's best.
  2. Circumstances. Hannah was dealing with very difficult circumstances. Even though her husband loved her very much, Hannah felt bad about not having a child, and having to listen to Peninnah's barbs. Often times, circumstances beat us down so far, and so hard, that we will feel inadequate. The trick here is to keep your eyes off of your circumstances and keep your eyes on the Lord.
  3. Bad Counsel. When we approach someone about our hopes, we may be just wanting to share something that the Lord has brought to our attention, or we may be wanting to get some guidance, or direction on how we can reach the thing that we are hoping for. When someone offers you there view, you need to know that their counsel is Godly, and that they can back up their opinions with scripture.
  4. Self-doubt. You begin to believe that you are not worthy. These feelings come with the passing of time. You work hard, and you feel that you are doing God's work, but it may take a long time to reach that thing you are hoping for. Sometimes, God takes his time to get us ready. Maybe there are some things that we need to learn before we get what we are hoping for.

Dr. Stanley gives us what he calls "Hope Promoters"