Extraordinary
Hope:
30
Days to Being Strengthened and Inspired
1. Elizabeth, what inspired you to write your book? God had been speaking to me for years about writing. When
I finally realized I was being disobedient by not writing, I asked Him what
should I write about. He said His people did not know about the fullness
of the hope they have in Christ. Just like when we try to create a new habit by
doing something for 21 days, He said what would it look like if we focused on
hope for 30 days, with 30 verses on hope and accompanying stories. That became
the basis for the book as Holy Spirit directed me through research to the
stories that went with each verse.
2. What advice do you have for those who seem to have
forgotten the power of hope? For those
who have forgotten that there is power in hope, think again. The Bible
says that "So now faith, hope and love abide, these three; but the
greatest of these is love." 1 Cor 13:13. If those three things are
what will remain, then those should be our focus on how we live. Quite a
bit has been taught about faith and love, but hope is something we have failed
to offer in great abundance to others. I believe it is because we are not
quite sure about it ourselves. We don't want people to be disappointed so
we are hesitant to offer it. And yet, it is the anchor of our soul!
How well can we be anchored in our spirit if we aren't really sure of what to
put our hope in? In Isaiah 49: 23c it says, "Then you will know that
I am the LORD, those who hope in me will not be disappointed." Hope is one
aspect of Him that we just don't know enough about to be sure of to offer to
others. After my own journey of spending 30 days writing about hope, I
absolutely knew the limitless hope God offered.
3.
Tell us what hope
means to you? Hope is the assurance of
all that is promised in the Bible, it is Jesus and all He has for us. We
struggle to understand it by trying to put it in concepts and definitions we
can understand and convey in something another human being can understand. Yet
so often something that is invisible and intangible, such as hope, is almost
impossible to fully define. It's like the wind, we know its there and it
is something we feel, even though, we can't visually show it to someone.
4. How can people get strengthened and inspired for the New
year? People can get strengthened and
inspired for the New Year by being intentional about learning something new.
The Bible is the living and breathing word of God. No matter how many
times I have read it, I am constantly amazed at the things I see and understand
for the first time. It is an ancient, timeless book of wisdom. If
you are looking for direction, strength, and inspiration, I would encourage you
to read it every day. Also, find a Bible study, devotional, or teaching
book to go along with what you are reading as an accompaniment.
5.
What role does faith
play in your life today? Faith doesn't just
play a role in my life, I pray that my life is a reflection of my faith.
The greatest adventures I've had so far have been when I stepped out in faith.
God has great plans for us as He says in Jeremiah 29:11. When we believe Him
and step out in what He asks of us, even though we don't understand it, that is
when we see great things happen. We struggle with this and therefore miss out
on incredible blessings and favor, not only for us but for so many around us.
"Faith is the confidence of things hoped for, the evidence of things
we do not see," as the Bible says. Therefore, living in faith, means
we are not going to see it before we step into it.
6. Why do some people give up on hope? Some people
give up on hope because they don't believe what they can't see. Thank God
this is not the case for everyone or we would never have any new inventions or
cures. Believing that something may be true before you actually see it is
so important for it to actually transpire. Yes, we are disappointed by some
things we wish would happen, but when you believe in God and trust Him with
your life and the outcome, then "He will work all things out for the good
of those who love Him" as the Bible says. Everything we hope for in the
natural life is not always what we need. Only God knows how your life
will turn out and He knows what is best for you.
7. What were the biggest challenges in putting your book
together? The biggest challenge in putting
my book together was learning about the publishing industry and how it
works. I literally wrote this book out of my obedience to the Lord's call
on my life to write. Trusting Him with where He wants it to go and what
is next feels like I've stepped off a cliff and am hanging with Him in
midair. But that is what faith is, trusting Him completely, totally with
my life. I do believe whatever He calls you to He will equip you to
do. It may not come in the way we expect, but He will provide what we
need just when we need it. The Israelites in the wilderness had all the
manna they needed for that day, but no more. I believe we are to live the same.
8.
Do you have any
words of advice for those seeking to write a book? For those seeking to write a book, ask God if this is His
plan for your life. I believe all our good intentions and desires take us on
long detours if they don't line up with what God has planned for us. I also
believe that you will not be happy, fulfilled or at peace if it is not what you
are supposed to do. Lots of people think writing a book is a glamorous career,
almost like being a celebrity. The truth is it is hard work and will cost
you time and money of which you may not see a monetary return on your
investment. If it is God's plan for you, you will be happy though with
however it turns out, knowing all that He wanted to accomplish with what you
have written was achieved. Trust Him with everything in your life and
everything in your life will be successful!
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