We’ve heard the phrase “Hope for the best but expect the worst”. I’ve never liked that saying. Why would I expect something I don’t want? Wouldn’t it be better if I expected what I was hoping for? I understand the concept behind the phrase though; be prepared for anything.

In Mark Chapter 5, we meet a woman who, I am certain, had heard this phrase many times. You see, she had suffered with a bleeding condition for the last twelve years. She was desperate and was losing all hope of ever feeling well again. She had spent all of her money on doctors who would give her medicine and treatments and basically say, “Well Ma’am, hope for the best, but expect the worst”. And even though she hoped for the best with all her heart, she did indeed get the worst. In fact, Scripture says that her condition worsened instead of getting any better. This woman was losing all hope of ever being healed, and to deepen her despair, she had to suffer alone because her culture deemed her unclean. But she still had a lingering thread of hope. She had heard of a Man named Jesus and how he had miraculously healed people. She hoped that she could see this man and this time she didn’t expect the worst. She had heard of His love for the people and began to think that if she could only touch the hem of his robe, then she too would be healed. Her hope began to grow and then one day she hears a commotion on the street below: Jesus was coming! She gathered all of her strength, and disregarding the glares and whispers, she pushes through the crowd and reaches out. Falling to the ground, she touches the hem of His robe and instantly feels her body healing!

Her hope in the Lord not only healed her body that day but also her soul. Jesus didn’t criticize her for being out in public, nor did He call her out for having touched Him. He simply looked at her in love and said, “Your suffering is over”! She had expected a possibility, and instead received the BEST!

When we put our hope in the Lord, great things happen. God is Love, and Love ALWAYS HOPES!

Suggested Prayer:

Dear Lord, today I declare my hope to be in you. I will not expect bad things to happen because I know that your plan for me is perfect. There may be times when you allow me to suffer, but my hope will remain in you, for you are Love, and Love always Hopes! Gratefully, In Jesus’ name, Amen.

1. 1 Corinthians 13:7 (NIV).