During these uncertain times, it would be easy to give in to a culture of fear, anxiety, stress and worry.

Troy Murphy said during his Community Church online message on Sunday, March 22, that we can combat those negative influences by putting our hope in God.

Here are key points from Troy’s message entitled Unseen Hope:

*The coronavirus has forced churches to stop meeting together physically, but that doesn’t mean we have lost hope in who God is. The church, or God’s people, has survived persecution, epidemics, pandemics, you name it. And with God’s help his people will overcome the Covid-19 virus.

*Fear often drives us to write stories in our minds, and we usually write the worst stories involving worry and anxiety. We have learned through the coronavirus experience that health, finances, and our future in this world are not secure. Our hope must be based on something deeper.

*Hebrews 11:1 says that faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Faith has to be the foundation or engine that drives hope.

*If you don’t have the underpinning of biblical faith, then you are hoping for things in this world that you can’t control. What is your hope in?

*Here is what Christ followers can put their hope in (Romans 8):

Hope in our future glory
We can step into the unknown and have assurance that God will keep his promises. Our present suffering doesn’t compare with the glory that will be revealed to us. Having Jesus gives us strength now and also the hope of a glorious future.

Hope in our future redemption

Jesus frees us from sin and provides the hope of redemption.

Hope in what will be
God will one day reveal himself to us. We will experience the physical presence of the creator of the universe.

Hope in a helper
The Spirit helps us in our weakness. God works all things for the good of those who love him. It’s often in the midst of severe difficulty that God can transform us the most. Whatever comes our way — persecution, job loss, injury, health scare, etc. — when we have hope in Christ, then good will come from it.

Hope in our Father’s purpose
Do you think God knows what is going on in our world today? Yes he does, and He can use the current circumstances for His glory. No matter what leader is in charge of our government, no matter what circumstances impact us, we need to remember that God is still on the throne, Jesus is still the Lord.

*Put your hope in someone who is eternal, something that will stand the test of time and trials.