Joni Eareckson Tada - Gaining a Hopeful Spirit

The printed version of this eBook is the Gaining A Hopeful Spirit pamphlet, ISBN-13: 9781596365131

Cover photo: WDG Photo

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

It is illegal to photocopy, transmit electronically, post on the internet, or reproduce this pamphlet in whole or in part in any form.

2012 Joni Eareckson Tada
Rose Publishing, Inc.
4733 Torrance Blvd., #259
Torrance, California 90503 U.S.A.
Email: info@rose-publishing.com
www.rose-publishing.com
All rights reserved.

• Shows you how to be a source of joy for someone else when you are going through a hard time yourself in less than 30 minutes.
• Gives wisdom, tips and insight from Joni Eareckson Tada, an international advocate for individuals with disabilities, a published author, a founder of a non-profit organization, and a quadriplegic who has learned how to trust in God in all circumstances.
• Draws you closer to God as you realize that the hope that can get you through even the toughest of times only comes from the Father.

In the 45 years Ive lived as a quadriplegic in a wheelchair, I have learned that hope is a precious thing. Paralyzed without the use of my hands or legsyet I thrive on hope!

My heart goes out to those who are in despair for lack of hope. Take the story of 15-year-old Danielle, a winning gymnast who sustained a serious spinal cord injury to her neck in 2012. I received the following email from Holly, Danielles aunt:

The atmosphere in the ICU around Danielle was horrible. Our family was so devastated when her surgeon told us that she would never walk again. At that point my niece could only lift her arms about six inches. She had no other movement anywhere. My brother Dan choked out the words, Do you know anyone with the Joni Eareckson Tada organization? I knew who you were because I had read your first book. I called your office and spoke with your assistant, Judy. She called Dan right away. Joni, before we talked with Judy we were experiencing the deepest pain over Danielles accident. But then Judy called us and everything changed. We had hope! Hope for a possible recovery, no matter what her recovery would look like. We were all ready to dig in, pray, and do everything we could for our beautiful Danielle. So I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Holly

I was astonished by Hollys email. I asked Judy, What did you say to give them such hope? Did you promise shed be healed or something? Judy explained, I just told them that her injury was still so recent and she had time to recover at least a little strength and movement ... I reminded them that this was an opportunity to come together as a family as never before ... and that this was a time to put into practice everything they had ever learned from Gods Word.

Thats it ? I responded. Judy smiled and nodded yes. Danielles story goes to show how far just a little hope can lift a hurting heart. Thats how potent hope is. Its like a small candle glowing in a dark roomthe flame is so tiny and the room is so big, yet the light from the little candle dispels the darkness. Hope is like holding onto the thin string of a powerful kitethe string is so thin in your hand, yet it connects to a force that can almost lift you off the ground!

Edward Westmacott

Our Need for Hope

People in todays world are desperate for hope. Bleak economic times test our confidence. The constant barrage of bad news in the media tries our faith. Life can seem bland, and lack meaning and purpose. Our relationships can feel shallow, void of depth and passion. There are any number of life circumstances that can flood us with disappointment.

Blend Images

For the most part, we are able to muster the emotional strength we need in order to stem the tide of discouragement. But when one bad thing piles on top of the next, it can tip the balance. Disappointment and discouragement begin to overwhelm. Thats when you wake up in the morning only to discover youve lost every bright prospect for a better day. And nothing leads to despair like the loss of hope.

Woody Allen has offered a cynical view of our search for hope:

More than any other time in history, mankind faces a crossroads. One path leads to despair and utter hopelessness. The other, to total extinction. Let us pray we have the wisdom to choose correctly.

God never intended that his people should live with such despair. But what is hope? Is it wishful thinking? An aspiration for better times? A longing that life will get easier? Something within us says that hopethe sort of life-giving hope that Danielles family neededis far deeper and more profound than wishing upon a star. Our instincts tell us that hope should not be a faint and flighty desire. Hope should be rock solid and real, unshakable, immovable, and even eternal .

It is this dazzling assurance the Bible intends when it speaks of hope. God desires we have this kind of hope; and his intentions are best expressed in Jeremiah 29:11, which says, For I know the plans I have for you, declares the L ORD , plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey toward it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us.

Samuel Smiles

Hope Is Possible

Ever felt like you were up against a wall? Stuck. Stalled. Stymied. Smack-dab against a cold, hard, and unyielding barrier with absolutely no way out. You cant go back; you cant go sideways; its too high to climb; its impossible to tunnel underneath; and there are no detours. You are absolutely devoid of hope. What do you do?

Jose AS Reyes

A friend once told me, Joni, when youre up against a wall, the only thing you can do is start walking through it. Sound impossible? Whoever heard of anyone walking through a wall?

Well, someone did. The scene is described in John 20:26. In the Upper Room, Jesus suddenly appeared in the midst of his frightened, discouraged disciples. The door was closed, the walls were thick, and there was no entry or exit. But Jesus did the impossible. He entered the room, and with him came hope .

Jesus is constantly asking us to do the impossible. When we face the wallwhether it is pain, an emotionally unbearable circumstance, or a difficult situation beyond anything weve ever encountered beforeGod wants us to place our hope in him, because with him, all things are possible (see Mark 10:27). It is possible to smile in the face of disappointment; it is possible to trust God in the middle of an injury or illness and to face the day with a bright outlook even though it seems your world is falling apart. The world would say its impossible, but with God you can always have hope.