WEEK 2 LESSON

“HOPE IN TIMES OF TROUBLE”

There are things around us that we cannot fully understand. We walk down someone who has grave
illness or is experiencing debilitating situations. We see images of wars, famine, and senseless deaths around us
causing further confusion and worry. However, hope allows us to expect for the best and anticipate a better
future. It is hope that keeps us from giving up on disheartening circumstances and, instead, look to the exciting
possibilities of a much brighter tomorrow.

Consult God’s COMPASS

What is Hope?
In Dante's poem Inferno, he describes the gates of hell. The sign over the gates says, "Abandon hope, all
ye who enter in."
None of us knows the full and final answer to suffering. God may not reveal to us the "why" of our
problems and troubles, but He asks us to believe that every one of them has a purpose and will work for our
best. We do not know what the future holds for us in this life. But we do know who holds our future-God. He
has revealed to us that, in Him, there is hope!

 Hope is the light at the end of the tunnel.

Hope is the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. One's suffering is not eternal, therefore, a time of relief will
come.

 Hope is enduring the night while waiting for the dawn.

The Bible says that "weeping lasts only for the night, but joy comes in the morning "As we see problems and
suffering around us, it is as if we are going through the night. Waiting through the night is an exercise of
patience. Hours seem to last forever when waiting at night. But the first rays of dawn are enough to reward one
who is patiently waiting and will help him to bounce back to life again.

 Hope is anchored in the unchanging goodness of God.

Hope helps us to anticipate the best because it is anchored in our God who can do the impossible. We believe
that God's power can dispel the dark clouds of problems and persecution away. Because He is always good, His
light will shine on us.

 Hope is believing that things will get better.

One who continually hopes can have optimism that things will eventually change Night will become day.
Sorrows will turn to joy Tears will turn to laughter.

Pause and Reflect:

ACTIVITY 1

Encourage Them. Read through each case and discuss how you would show encourage others.
1. Your best friend's mother died of cancer. She cannot accept what happened and the thought of her growing
up without her mom frightens her.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Your seatmate had low scores on the last periodical exam. Because of this, he has low self-esteem.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Your friend misses his parents. They have to work abroad to provide for their family's needs. Your friend
feels that he is alone because he lives so far from them.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________

AT THE CROSSTROADS
Pinoy Kasi!

Filipino Optimism

There are many reasons why Filipinos are scattered all over the world. However, few realize that this is
attributed to Pinoy optimism. A dream for a better future and greener pastures is what commonly drives
Filipinos to venture into the uncertainties of working in a foreign land Filipinos see the blessings over and
above the pain. We are inclined to count our rewards and overlook the struggles.

FOLLOW THE TRAIL

Real People, Real Models
On May 27, 2001the Burnhams were kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) a militant group of
Muslims They seized several more guests and/ took them to Basilan Island, an ASG stronghold. Later, the other
captives were set free except for the Burnhams and one other.
Their 376 days of captivity was very difficult as they had to continuously hide with their captors, endure
starvation, and were often caught in the crossfire between the ASG and the military. These hardships almost
made the Burnhams question if God cared for them.
But in Jung 7, 2002, the military rescued Gracia--though she sustained a gunshot wound. To her grief,
Martin was killed in the firefight between the Philippine military and the Abu Sayyaf Group.

Despite all this, Gracia bravely recounted her harrowing experience in the books in the Presence of My
Enemies and To Fly Again. Her writings are reflective of one who remains hopeful even in the most trying
experience of circumstances.

A beautiful old song by Edward Mote. "The Solid Rock" expresses Christian hope
The Solid Rock

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus' name
 When darkness veils His lovely face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil

His oath, His covenant His blood,

Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way.
He then is all my hope and stay.

When He shall come with trumpet sound.

Oh, may I then in Him be found,
Clothed in His righteousness alone.
Faultless to stand before the throne

On Christ the solid Rock, I stand:

All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.

REACH THE PEAK

We can be "fearless" in our own right and have the courage to face life with hope and assurance because God's
help gives us comfort. We can:

1. Call upon the Lord to help us. When we trust God, we have a constant help especially when we are in
trouble or distress.

2. Place our hope in God. God is our only hope in a troubled world. He actually knows and holds our future.
We can rely on God for our future.

ACTIVITY 2

Be the bringer of Hope in your life today, and see what happens! Make a simple note of encouragement
or a compliment to your at least 5 friends or relatives. It could be a form of a letter, a card or any token that will
remind him/her of the hope you have in Jesus.

Note: send proof to my messenger account.