“Don’t give up hope!”   “Keep hoping!”  “ Hope will get you through!”

What does that even mean?

When we tell someone to keep up the hope, do we just mean for them to keep up a positive attitude? Are we telling them to stay optimistic, to wish for and expect the best? 

What happens when what we hoped for doesn’t come to pass? What about when the circumstances of life do not go as we planned? Do we lose hope?

When Lexi was struggling with mental illness and substance use, I desperately wanted her to change. At times she was in some very dark places. I fought to hang on to hope. And very often after hoping desperately for a certain outcome, it did not come to pass. My biggest hope was for her to live a long life of healing and recovery. But that was not God’s plan.

So why hope? Is it useless to hope?

No! We must never give up hope. But…we must examine what we are putting our hope in.

If the object of our hope involves only our circumstances, we are in trouble. If our hope is just for things to change and go our way, we are setting ourselves up for continual tragic disappointment.

But…what if our hope rested in God and His Word? 

“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope.” Psalm 130:5

What if we daily read God’s Word, expecting him to speak to our hearts and guide our thoughts? What if we spent time memorizing it so we are constantly reminded of his great love and care for us? What if we meditate on it, hoping for our souls to be refreshed, strengthened, and revived? 

“O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption.” Psalm 130:7

What if our hope was in finding purpose, joy, and fulfillment each day in whatever God has called us to do? What if our hope was to rest peacefully in his loving arms? What if our hope involved gratitude for the beautiful blessings around us, thankfulness for what he has done in the past, and assurance of his care and provision for the future? What if our hope was for God to receive glory in our lives, no matter what the circumstances or what the cost? What if our hope was to know God better, walk more closely with him, tune our hearts to him, and rely on his great strength?

If our hope is based on our circumstances, we may be stuck in a pit of misery, frustration, and heartache. If our hope is in God, we are promised steadfast love and plentiful redemption.

Life is unstable, unpredictable, and disappointing. But God never is. He IS our hope!