THANKSGIVING/GRATITUDE is based upon the faithfulness and mercies of God in the past; while HOPE is looking towards the future with confidence and joy because of the Abba goodness of the Father, secured by the cross and resurrection of the Son, and applied to our hearts by the Holy Spirit.

“What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. 19my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you."  Galatians 4:15, 19-20

“For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."  Galatians 5:17

“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."  Galatians 6:1-2

1. There is a strong element or w_____________ in the daily life of the believer (Galatians 5:17). 

“In this verse Paul sets forth in the starkest terms possible the ethical dualism that rages in the world at large and from which no believer who must live in that real world can be exempt…The word ‘flesh’ in Paul’s vocabulary can not be reduced to the material or physical dimension of the physical person. It is a far more encompassing term involving the mind, will, and emotions as well as the physical body.”  Timothy George, New American Commentary (NAC)

2. Because of indwelling sin, all believers are in the ongoing p__________ of growth in Christ (sanctification).

3. Unbiblical a__________ regarding life can lead to hyper-independence/perceived self-sufficiency which leads to indifference and ultimately isolation or feelings of shame which leads to despair and isolation. 

4. We should e_________ trouble in this world; therefore we should fortify our hearts. (Proverbs 4:23)

“We must remember that ‘any idea of getting beyond conflict, outward or inward, in the pursuit of holiness in this world is an escapist dream that can only have disillusioning and demoralizing effects on us as waking experiences daily disprove it. What we must realize, rather, is that any real holiness in us will be under hostile fire all the time, as our Lord’s was (Heb 12:1-4). It is as certain as anything can be that without watchful prayer and a prayerful watch, we shall not be able to stand firm against the world, indwelling sin, and the evil one, but will fall victim to their wiles and blandishments instead.”  J.I Packer, Keeping in Step with the Spirit

5. In pursuing r_________ hope, we should: repent, renew our minds (Col 3:10), and respond in obedience. 

“Putting sin to death does indeed involve repentance, but there’s a repentance that frees us and another kind of ‘worldly sorrow’ that makes us worse (2 Cor. 7:10). This latter kind of sorrow over sin arises strictly out of the fear of punishment…There’s another kind of repentance and sorrow for sin that Paul calls ‘godly’ and that leads to genuine change and cleansing (2 Cor 7:10). It says, ‘God will never cast me off. Look what he did so that he would never have to condemn me. Look what it cost my Savior to secure this grace for me! How could I turn away from this kind of love and beauty for this other thing?’ This is painful conviction of sin, but it is not mixed with slavish fear. You know he will never forsake you (Heb 13:5). This frees you to focus not so much on yourself but rather on how your sin grieves your loving Savior. That kind of sorrow makes you hate not yourself but the sin that dishonors him. And that genuinely weakens the sin’s hold over you.”  Tim Keller, Hope in Times of Fear

6. In the mystery of God graciously working with his people, failures, difficulties, and hard times, we find that we can grow stronger in grace in the midst of hardships.

“One of the most startling (applications) is that God actually uses our sins and mistakes to this end. He employs the educative discipline of failures and mistakes very frequently. It is striking to see how much of the Bible deals with men of God making mistakes, and God chastening them for it."  J.I.Packer, Knowing God

“‘I do not call you unfortunate’, said the Large Voice. ‘Don’t you think it was bad luck to meet so many lions?’ said Shasta.
There was only one lion,’ said the Voice. ‘What on earth do you mean? I’ve just told you there were at least two the first night and —’
'There was only one: but he was swift of foot.’
'How do you know?'
'I was the lion.’ And Shasta gaped with open mouth and said nothing, the Voice continued. ‘I was the lion who forced you to join with Aravis (who became your companion and support). I was the cat who comforted you among the houses of the dead. I was the lion who drove the jackals from you while you slept. I was the lion who gave the horses the new strength of fear for the last mile so that you should reach King Lune in time. And I was the lion you do not remember who pushed the boat in which you lay, a child near death, so that it came to shore where a man sat, wakeful at midnight, to receive you.’”
C.S. Lewis, The Horse and His Boy

“I want you to know how to study theology in the right way. I have practiced this method myself… you will find it in Psalm 119 with these rules. That are frequently proposed throughout the psalms and thus run: pray, meditation, and trial.”  Martin Luther