Hope That Endures
Hey friends – this month I’ve been thinking about something we all need more of, that even Amazon can’t deliver: HOPE. We know that to hope is to cherish a desire with anticipation. It’s a feeling of expectation of wanting something to happen or be true. In English, the word hope usually conveys doubt. We may say, “I hope it won’t rain this weekend”, or “I hope the kids don’t get sick for Christmas.” The word hope is often followed by the word “so”. For instance, when someone is asked if they will go to heaven when they die, they may say “I hope so.”
The world offers a superficial, shallow version of hope; it’s wishful thinking. But did you know that the Bible defines hope differently? It’s rooted in the confident expectation of what God has promised in Christ Jesus. It’s living, active and penetrates deep into the soul. There is absolutely no doubt attached to the Biblical word hope. It’s placing trust in the promises of God’s Word – not in circumstances. Holding onto this type of hope enables us to look beyond this present life, and focus on the security of heaven. Biblical hope motivates action and inspires us to keep going, when we don’t think we can. Honestly, this is what helped me get through my kids’ tumultuous teen years, my brothers’ suicide, as well as the depression, addiction, and abuse I grew up around.
People cannot survive long without hope; it sustains us through painful experiences and fear of the future. In a fallen world where people face poverty, disease, injustice, disaster, war and terrorism, we truly need lasting hope. A hope that enables us to conquer fears, addictions, unbelief, and failures. The Bible teaches us that the foundation of hope is not a philosophy – our living hope is Jesus Christ. In Him, we have an inheritance that will never be touched by death, stained by evil, or faded with time; it is death-proof, sin-proof, and age-proof. This hopeful inheritance is also fail-proof because God guards and preserves it in heaven for us. It is wholly secure.
Interestingly, Biblical hope finds its strength in hardship. We grow in faith despite challenges when we put our confidence in the certainty of God’s promises. I find so much comfort in Jesus’ words in John 8:12 where He says: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” I envision a flame within me that never goes out, no matter what ‘storm winds’ blow against me externally. This imagery provides a steady source of peace and reassurance in the darkest days. Just as a flame provides warmth and guidance in darkness, living hope provides resilience and the ability to endure challenges in spite of suffering. The result? Peace, patience, and a sense of joy – no matter the circumstance. It’s possible because it’s about God’s power, His promises, and His sacrifice. It’s all about Him, not us.
When we lean into the world’s definition of hope, we lose sight of the God of hope and end up discouraged and despairing. Unlike the empty hope this world offers, the living hope that God provides through Jesus Christ is alive – it’s energizing, active, productive, thriving. It’s a light in the darkness. It’s a forward and upward looking position that is rooted in the belief that what He says will happen, WILL indeed happen. In other words, “There’s no doubt about it!”
Coaching Connection:
- What kind of hope do you tend to hold onto?
- What would it look like to embrace Biblical hope?
To Your Growth,
Image by Daria Minaeva