The phrase "all hope is gone" conveys a sense of despair and hopelessness. serves as a stark declaration that the current state of affairs is beyond repair, yet it also implies a call to action, suggesting that when there's nothing left to lose, people might finally be willing to fight for change. What happens when our hopes are dashed? We may lose the feeling of trust in ourselves or in others. Do we become cynics and pessimists? Do we begin to believe that all is lost? Do we blame ourselves? What keeps us from becoming the cynic that H.L. Mencken described: “A man who, when he smells flowers, looks around for a coffin.”
The dictionary defines ‘hope’ as a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. The somewhat more archaic definition describes ‘hope’ as a feeling of trust. Shakespeare put it well: “Eating the air on promise of supply.” Romans 8:24-25, “For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”
On any given day, so many of us are doing our best to navigate real stressors, real uncertainties, and real complexities in our workplaces, homes, and communities. Add to that the struggles, division and anger in world right now it would seem that the future is very bleak, and it becomes easy to see how we can get swept up in the doom-and-gloom and feel as though hope is out of reach.
Hope is a time-tested strategy for navigating uncertainty, adversity, and everyday life. History has shown us that hope isn’t just an idea; it’s only found through faith in Jesus Christ that hope has changed lives, started movements, and sustained humanity through its darkest chapters.
Hope doesn’t eliminate conflict or hardship, but it does create space for perspective, courage, compassion, and possibility. It allows us to say: “This is not OK, but somehow, I am OK in this moment, and I trust that better days are ahead.”
Even when so much feels wrong in the world, we keep showing up. We find a way to persist and move forward, even when it’s hard.
In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians we come upon this idea/word hope. Confident hope- meaning our hope is in something we can trust- hope in God and His Son Jesus Christ. And more than wishful thinking, Hope is a certainty that we will receive that which we are trusting. Ephesians 1:18, “I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.
Paul is praying that our hearts will be flooded with light, so that we can understand the confident hope to everyone that follows Jesus. And the confident hope that we will receive a glorious inheritance. Actually, we will experience being God’s inheritance. When we get to heaven- we are His inheritance- He is waiting for you to arrive. He longs for you to be with Him so that He can enjoy you face to face! How amazing is that!!! Not only do you get your inheritance He will receive His. You are not just ‘waiting’ for heaven- God is waiting for you! He longs for you to be home with Him. Jesus said in John 14:2-3 says, “There is more than enough room in my Father’s home.[If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” He is actually preparing a place for His inheritance. You are His inheritance, you are His portion, His prize, His joy! From the book, “Who God says you are, “You are not just going to Heaven—you are part of what makes Heaven, Heaven for God. You are His inheritance. And He can’t wait to receive you!” Wayne Kinde. That’s powerful, that’s our confident hope. Our hope is built on His promises for His people. When Christians know God better and better, they are assured of the reality of heaven and reassured of their destiny.
Hope is a choice. It inspires us to dream big, set goals, and take meaningful action. It is a radical practice that keeps us well in a world that often isn’t. To live hope-filled is to believe that a brighter future is possible for us, for our children, for our communities, and for the world, and that we have a role in shaping it.
Celebrate Recovery gives us an Acrostic for the word HOPE
Higher Power: Recognizing Jesus Christ as our true Higher Power who can help us overcome our struggles.
Openness to Change: Being willing to allow God to change us and our circumstances.
Power to Change: Acknowledging that we cannot change on our own and that we need God's strength to transform our lives.
Expect to Change: Having faith that change is possible through God's grace and power
When we surrender and recognize that we need Jesus power in our lives- we are free! You and I can have hope- no matter how dark the situation- because our God has risen from the grave! Our God has a plan for you!! Our God can help you overcome any struggle and give you the power to change. And as you receive that power- don’t just sit on it and say- what a good boy/girl am I! Instead change those things that God is called out in your life, change and surrender the attitude that brings you defeat. Obey the God of the cross. Walk with Him and your Hope will return.
That same power that raised Jesus from the dead LIVES IN YOU!!! You are filled with His power to live with hope and a future!
