Who can live without hope?  No one.  That said, what kind of hope gives us the best life?  There’s many kinds of hope out there.

For example, there’s the unrealistic-wishful-thinking type of hope—such as “I hope I get good grades this semester”—when someone hasn’t studied, attended class, or done any of the assignments!  Football players and fans call this the “Hail Mary pass”. Not much real hope here.

Then there’s the “it-has-to-happen-sometime” type of hope—the kind where something’s taking too long and we hope it happens soon—such as, “I hope it stops raining all the time and warms up so we can get outside and enjoy springtime!”  We can call this “hurry-up” hope.

Similar to this is hope-in-the-unknown—such as, “I hope this coronavirus goes away soon and doesn’t come back, so life can go back to ‘normal’!”

–Everyone in the world shares this hope these days.  There’s some hope here, but still a sense of helplessness, due to a situation beyond our control.

It helps if we attach this next kind of hope to it—the I/we-can-help-make-it-happen type of hope—such as some doing research for a cure and preventive vaccines. 

— All of us can play a part in fulfilling these hopes: “When everything opens up again, I hope this will be a better, kinder, world.  I hope my life will be better.  I hope the new normal will be better than the old one.” 

This leads us to the next kind of hope—the I/we-HAVE-TO-do-something-about-it-to-make-it-happen type of hope—such as, “I hope to lose some weight”— if so, stop snack-grazing during the day!

Or, “I sure hope my marriage improves!”  If so, work on OUR end of communication and love.

–This kind of hope relates to the first kind, in that if we don’t do something about it, it will become an “unrealistic-wish” kind of hope! Who wants that?

Thankfully, it gets better.  There’s the 90%-sure-confidence type of hope—such as, “I hope, based on my experience, skills, and character, to get this job.”  This says “I feel good about it, even though I’m not totally sure.” 

Even better than that, though, is the assurance type of hope— such as, “By the way, the CEO of the company I’m applying for is my dad, and he already promised me the job, and the rest of the board agreed!”

Here’s the good news—we can have that 100%- assurance type of hope, when we hope in our HEAVENLY FATHER!  All we have to do is: 

1. Make sure He’s really our Dad.

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. 1 Jn. 3:1

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Pet. 1:3

2. Listen and stay close to Him so we can know what to hope for.

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people. Eph. 1:18

3. Trust Him to fulfill that hope at the best time in the best way.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Heb. 10:23

No matter what is happening in, to, or around us now, HE is the fool-proof BASIS of our confident, expectant, hope!  Jer. 29:11 assures us:

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

During this time when hope is dim for many– due to loss of jobs and loved ones, uncertainty, loneliness, etc.— this hope remains bright.  And it’s ours—when we put our hope in Him!

H olding

O nto the

P romises of our

E ternal God

What kind of hope do you have today?  What kind would you like to have?