Hope Changes Everything

To believe that hope changes everything, we must first understand what hope is.

Merriam-Webster defines it this way. To cherish a desire with anticipation: to want something to happen or be true: to desire with expectation of obtainment or fulfillment.

Many of us have hope for a multitude of scenarios in our daily lives. We hope our team wins the ballgame. We hope to fall asleep quickly and get a good night’s rest. That the college will award the scholarship to our child. Traffic will be light on our way home. You can fill in the blank with the hopes that cross your mind daily.

But is this the same hope the Bible describes? The hope we have as believers in Christ?

Look at how Easton’s Bible Dictionary describes hope for Christians.

“One of the three main elements of Christian character (1 Corinthians 13:13). It is joined to faith and love and is opposed to seeing or possessing (Romans 8:24; 1 John 3:2). ‘Hope is an essential and fundamental element of Christian life, so essential that, like faith and love, it can itself designate the essence of Christianity (1 Peter 3:15; Hebrews 10:23). In it the whole glory of the Christian vocation is centered (Ephesians 1:18; 4:4).’ Unbelievers are without this hope (Ephesians 2:12; 1 Thessalonians 4:13). Christ is the actual object of the believer’s hope, because it is in his second coming that the hope of glory will be fulfilled (1 Timothy 1:1; Colossians 1:27; Titus 2:13). It is spoken of as “lively”, i.e., a living, hope, a hope not frail and perishable, but having a perennial life (1 Peter 1:3). In Romans 5:2, the “hope” spoken of is probably objective, i.e., “the hope set before us,” namely, eternal life (comp 12:12). In 1 John 3:3 the expression “hope in him” ought rather to be, as in the Revised Version, “hope on him,” i.e., a hope based on God.”

Wow. Quite a different definition of hope isn’t it?

Biblical hope is not a wish.

It’s based on the truth that God is good and cannot lie. He keeps His promises so we can trust with complete hope that He will do what He says.

What are some of His promises?

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Is. 40:29

But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Is. 40:31

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Is. 41:10

 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36

I could keep going, but you get the picture. God’s promises are good and we can take courage when life seems hopeless. 

Have you ever been through a trial in your life and thought, I will not survive this?

In the midst of the pain, maybe you lost all hope and fell into a pit of depression and despair. Ever been there?

I have.

But I’m still alive … and so are you. We survived.

We may have come through with some scars and bruises, but we emerged with more wisdom, compassion for others who are hurting, and the ability to encourage them in the middle of a similar mess. Didn’t you learn some valuable lessons in your trial?

How amazing would it be to help others by sharing what you went through? That’s biblical.

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 5 For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. 6 Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. 7 We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us. 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

It’s with this theme in mind that I share stories, scriptures, and songs of hope for broken hearts through this blog, and in my fiction writing.

And I love sharing stories from people like you.

Warriors in Christ who have gone through the fire and come out refined on the other side, who found hope in Christ amid unimaginable circumstances. Who can cheer others on while they walk through the pain.

These are some suggested categories: Foster Care, Adoption, Disabilities/Special Needs, Grief and Loss, Parenting, Prodigal Children, Step-parenting, Aging Parents, Mental Illness, Anxiety, Depression, Abuse and Neglect, Addictions, Crisis Pregnancy, Abortion, Health Crisis, Suicide, Rejection, Disappointment, Divorce, Forgiveness, Tragedy.

Do you have a story you could share on any of these topics? A special scripture or song to share? A situation where you found hope in Christ?

Maybe things are still hard and unresolved so you think you have nothing to share. If you’re trusting in Jesus, even though it’s still hard, you have hope to share with others.

Or, are you a fiction author who has written a story based on one of the issues mentioned above with the hope of Christ woven in? Many writers pen fiction stories based on real life events and people. Your fiction story matters and can offer encouragement to the hopeless, too.

Will you walk with me on this journey of sharing our hope in Christ with those who need it?

If so, please send me an email letting me know you’re willing. I’ll send you a template to use in writing your story. I’ll edit for you if needed. Or even write the story for you if you want me to. I can leave your name off if you’d like to submit anonymously. 

I’ll collect the stories and post at least one per month on my blog, which will also be featured in my newsletter.

I’d love to have you join this hope community as a subscriber to my newsletter!

You’ll receive encouragement to your inbox each month with links to new blog posts, hope-filled book recommendations, insider info on my publishing journey, be automatically entered into quarterly giveaways, and more!

Just enter your name and email in the submission box on this page and let’s build a hope community together!

Be sure to check your email and confirm your subscription. If you don’t see a welcome email, check your spam and junk folders and move the email into your inbox.

In closing, enjoy this song, Hope Changes Everything, and let the words soothe your troubled soul.

I’m excited to have you join the conversation. Have you found hope in Christ through a hard season of life? Is there a specific scripture or song that ministered to you during that time? Share in the comments so we can all be encouraged.

Please share this post on your social media sites to spread the word so more people can share their stories. If you’re in the midst of a storm and need prayer, let me know. I’d love to pray for you.