Is there a difference between wishy-washy, “I hope this will happen” kind of hope, and foundational, “I have hope beyond my present circumstances” kind of hope?
This is something I have written about quite a bit, including in my book, Hope Realized. However, in the midst of the current state of our world, I was reminded of this important question. From heart-breaking disasters caused by hurricanes, to tragic displacement and loss of life from wars, to deep division fueled by a contentious election just to name a few, our world feels unsteady and maybe even a little hopeless at the moment. So, is hope just a feeling or is there a kind of hope that can really make a difference in our lives?
For me, answering this question comes down to what I have experienced and what I have observed. I have certainly experienced and observed the wishy-washy, feeling kind of hope. Oftentimes, it has been as I prepare to take a test, or watch or play a game. “I hope I pass”. “I hope we win”. These fleeting thoughts and feelings have been a part of my life since the first time I took a test or played a game. More anxiety producing than helpful, they have had no positive long-term impact on my life. I would imagine you would say the same. The outcome I was hoping for was not produced by the hope I was feeling.
This alludes to something that often leads people to question the power of hope. Sadly, this is a common narrative in Christian circles: with enough hope you can produce an outcome. For example, if put your hope in God, you will escape poverty. This is a line I have heard people use many times to try to encourage someone. I mention this example because it relates to the work I do in Nicaragua. In fact, it would be easy to assume this is what I am saying when I refer to the power of hope to move beyond the hopelessness often experienced in impoverished communities.
This thought process is not limited to poverty. From health issue to relational challenges, and many other circumstances, people tend to draw a straight line from hope to a desired outcome. There is just one problem: it doesn’t work. Having enough hope does not guarantee a particular outcome. It is when people come to this realization after experiencing the opposite that they give up on hope. They had hope, but the outcome for which they were hoping did not become a reality. Where does this leave us on hope?
In my experience and observation, while hope does not guarantee an outcome, it does produce something life-changing: resiliency. It is an ability to see beyond present circumstances and move forward in the midst of them. Real hope changes the way a person sees the world around them and their ability to live a life of significance regardless of their current realities. When a person grabs onto real hope, they see possibilities where others see dead ends. Instead of be defined by the hopelessness that surrounds them, they are a light that brings real hope to others. Real hope does not produce outcomes, but it does create a resiliency that can change them. Where does it come from?
Real, lasting hope that produces resiliency, even in the most challenging circumstances, is born out of a reframed identity. Reframed around what? Around the understanding that you were created on purpose for a purpose by a God who loves you. When a person begins to see themselves and the world around them through that lens, it changes everything. Seeing through that lens is not a matter of head knowledge but rather heart change. In other words, intellectually understanding that you were created on purpose for a purpose by a God who loves you is much different than internalizing and living your life out of that framework. A truly reframed identity around this truth produces a powerful hope that creates change.
I have seen the power of this resiliency-producing hope in Nicaragua and in the lives of many others. I have experienced it in my own life. It hasn’t always led to the desired outcome, but it has created the resiliency to write a beautiful story in the middle of the brokenness. As we travel through this uncertain time in our world, pay attention for the stories of people who choose not to give up. Look for the places where resiliency-producing hope overcame what appeared to be hopeless. Then, decide what kind of life you will live. Will you give into the hopelessness or will you lean into an identity that reframes the way you see your life and the world around you?
It’s time to stop hoping and start building on real hope.
James Belt
Click here for more resources to help you bring hope to others!
0 Comments