Word of the Day
Hope is an important word for Christians. In fact, it’s a deeply anchoring value for almost everything we do as followers of Christ, in ministry organizations, across churches, and in any faith-based endeavor dedicated to serving those experiencing brokenness, grief, loss, trauma, and more. In an increasingly complex, often unpredictable, and chaotic world, the subject of hope is attracting considerable attention these days, not only among those who are spiritually inclined but also among the general public and the media.
Just last month, a first-of-its-kind national survey was released by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in collaboration with the Harris Poll, that examined how American adults understand, experience, and practice hope. In fact, 90% of the 2,500 people surveyed indicated they couldn’t imagine an existence without hope and viewed the term not so much as an abstract concept, but as one with a direct connection to tangible action and authentic relationships. Generosity, in word and deed, personalized, reinforced, and inspired hope, even in the midst of tragedy and heartbreaking moments.
Essential Hope
While not faith-informed, Dr. C. R. Synder, a prominent psychologist out of the University of Kansas, pioneered a widely accepted theory on hope nearly 30 years ago as an interface between one’s Goals (motivating aims that provide direction), a sense of Agency (defined as will power—the belief you can move toward a goal), and needed Pathways (defined as way power—the belief you can find the way there). For him, it was primarily a cognitive process.
In another recent groundbreaking study conducted at the University of Missouri, this long-held premise was challenged. Researchers concluded that hope was more essential to well-being than happiness or gratitude because it was directly correlated as a powerful emotional force that gives our lives meaning and purpose—uniquely sustaining the notion that all of life matters.
What we do know is that hope-oriented interventions, especially those that are overtly spiritual, make a difference when it comes to mental health. A systematic review of over 35 hope-related studies showed hope to be a good predictor of recovery, an important resilience mechanism, and a protective psychological factor leading to a reduction in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and despair.
Newer studies are moving beyond individual responses and exploring topics such as group and social hope. This is where entire communities can be sustained and heal during and after a crisis, as well as experience a measure of post-traumatic growth. Stories that demonstrate the capacity for a “collective” hope abound in times of tragedy, war, violent acts, and natural disasters.
What About Biblical Hope?
For some, hope is a cognitive construct. For others, it is more of an emotional response or community experience. So, is there a difference between secular or cultural hope and biblical hope? Among most Christians, the answer would be a resounding, “Yes,” because it’s rooted in the promises of God and in His Word. Depending on the version of the Bible being referenced, there are over 180 verses that address hope—it is a core theme from God’s heart to ours.
Hope moves beyond the confines of the mind and the heart and into the realm of faith. The Bible affirms this truth: “Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide, we might have hope” (Romans 15:4).
Hope and faith are close and enduring companions, supporting, nurturing, and even sustaining one another through the same Creator who first breathed life into man. The writer of Hebrews describes the relationship: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (11:1). And while the apostle Paul recognized the eternal nature of love—perhaps as the very essence of defining God Himself—he also affirmed that hope and faith were directly linked to this sacred triangle. “And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love” (1Corinthians 13:13).
Giving Life to Hope
In Paul’s discourse on the reality of the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15, he indicates that, “If Christ has not been raised, [our] faith is futile,” and, “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied” (vv. 17, 19). Thankfully, he goes on to declare, “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead” (v. 20).
This gives us hope—hope that we are not forever bound to the loss, pain, struggles, and trials on this side of eternity. In the meantime, God gives us His promises to hold onto.
Hope has always been at the very center of our mission here at Hope for the Heart. When we talk about hope, it is important to distinguish between cultural hope, an optimistic desire, and biblical hope, an optimistic assurance and an anchor for the many storms of life. It comes from the Greek word elpis, which signifies a favorable and confident expectation of the future.
Because the challenges of life are sometimes overwhelming and can shake us to the very core, once again we see the intertwining of faith, love, and hope in an admonishment to “gear up” for whatever comes our way: “Since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate [this guards our heart and emotions], and the hope of salvation as a helmet [this guards our thoughts and our confidence]” (1 Thessalonians 5:8).
What’s Your Hope Story?
All of us, no doubt, have our own story to tell—a story where we had to endure the unthinkable. As I am about to celebrate my 46th wedding anniversary, I reflect on an earlier time when my wife and I walked through four miscarriages, including two stillbirths. It was a turbulent season in life and one that tested both our faith and our hope in a God who is both loving and sovereign. There were moments I had no hope that we would ever have a family. Now, four decades later, with an amazing testimony of adopted twin sons and four grandchildren, more of the story is in the light.
Nevertheless, I have great confidence that one day, my wife and I will, with great joy, greet the children we never knew in this lifetime. For me, Revelation 21:1-5 is one of the most hope-filled passages in all of Scripture… God saying that He, Himself, will wipe away every tear because there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain. He told John to “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
I have faith God means what He says, and I have hope for this future. Is this the same hope you are holding onto today?
Photo credit: ©Getty Images /Vernon Wiley
Hope for the Heart is a worldwide biblical counseling, life coaching, and caregiving ministry founded by June Hunt in 1986 to provide biblical hope and practical help. Passionate about helping people understand and apply God's Word to their lives, the ministry provides biblical resources on more than 100 real-life issues. Hope for the Heart is making God’s truth accessible to millions seeking guidance.
Learn more at HopefortheHeart.org and listen to our HopeTalks podcast.
