How do we describe hope?
What metaphors do we use to express hope? How do we encourage others to believe “there’s a path to good” even in bad times? Here are a few we might have used.
- “There’s light at the end of the tunnel.”
- “Every cloud has a silver lining.”
- “The sun is peeking through the clouds.”
- “Hope is an eternal flame.”
But let’s be honest, when we’re at the “end of our rope” and the “bottom of our world has fallen out”, metaphors about hope will not help us. We are looking for something that will ease our troubled souls right now!
Who needs hope?
According to the American Psychological Association [1], we all need hope.
A majority of adults (62%) disagree with the statement, “our children are going to inherit a better world than we did,” and 63% disagree with the statement, “I feel our country is on the path to being stronger than ever.” More than 3/4 of adults (76%) said that the future of our nation is a significant source of stress in their lives, while 68% said this is the lowest point in our nation’s history that we can remember.
Two in three adults (66%) said the culture’s current political climate is a significant source of stress in their lives. Further, three in five adults quote (60%) said that the current social divisiveness in the nation causes them stress. Slightly more than three in five adults 62% reported that the racial climate in the US is a significant source of stress in their lives.
Are these sources of stress going to go away? Absolutely not! And these stressors are larger than us and out of our control. In this environment, we are also expected to manage the challenge of daily living and providing for our families: feeding, clothing, and housing. We search out ways to balance the stresses of life while maintaining healthy relationships, and personal “sanity”. We need to cultivate our hope because when we cease to hope, we jeopardize our future.
The worldview of hope
Hope has ALWAYS been something we humans have needed whether in ancient times or modern days. Man’s ability to survive and thrive has been dependent on hope. The challenge, however, continues to be our ability to identify the BEST SOURCE of HOPE.
Hope, from the world’s view, comes from a variety of sources that, when combined and strengthened, provide a foundation for optimism, resilience, and the pursuit of a meaningful and fulfilling life. These include the following which we most commonly use.
Relationships and connections: human connections and strong relationships provide a sense of belonging, support, and love, fostering hope and resilience in the face of adversity.
Personal strengths and abilities: recognizing and utilizing one’s strengths and abilities instills confidence and a sense of empowerment, nurturing hope for achieving goals and overcoming challenges.
Meaning and purpose: finding meaning and purpose in life, whether personal interest, family, community, or spiritual beliefs, provides a sense of direction and motivation, fueling hope for our fulfillment and meaningful existence.
Spiritual beliefs and faith: for many, spiritual beliefs and faith in a higher power offer a sense of peace, guidance, and unwavering hope, providing strength and solace in time of uncertainty.
We do these things to cope and to relieve the uncertainty we face daily. Like the television therapist, Dr. Phil, might ask, “how’s that working for you?” Consider adding to this list: The God of Hope.
The God of Hope
We often become discouraged when the things we do in our human strength fail to improve our situation. We are stressed because when we look around there is “no light at the end of the tunnel” nor is the “sun peeking through the clouds.”
The reality we must come to grips with is that we live in a fallen world, where sin will continue to manifest itself in the brokenness and pain we see today. Injustice, wars, corruption, and much more. BUT THERE IS HOPE.
Our hope is built on the faithfulness and dependability of God. We must rely on the “fidelity” of God. God is reliable, dependable, and faithful. God is true, truthful, and trustworthy. His Word and His promises provide the “blessed assurance” we need to not only survive but also thrive in this world. He is our sufficiency (2 Corinthians 3:5).
What is our faith response to the challenges of 21st century living? We must recognize and acknowledge that God alone is the true source of our hope (Psalms 62:5-12).
[1] Stress in America 2022, American Psychological Association.