Biblical Answer

The Edge of Hope

Hope is not a feeling, but a choice. It is a decision to look forward to the eternal world, even in the midst of suffering and despair. As a Christian, we are called to hope, not in the sense of escapism or wishful thinking, but as a protest of the divine presence in our lives. Hope finds its consolation in Christ, who is the answer to a hopeless world. In Him, we find the promise of ultimate justice and renewal, without sin and death, in a future that outlasts clinical death.

The Problem of Hopelessness

Hopelessness is a lethal condition that can be caused by putting our trust in something other than Christ. When our hopes seem to be experiencing disappointment, it simply means that they are being purified. Every hope or dream of the human mind will be fulfilled if it is noble and good. But if we try to kill hope, we doom ourselves to lifelessness. We must not be detached from the things we love, for this is the only way to keep safe. Instead, we must learn to hope, even in the midst of pain and suffering. We must trust in the ultimate reality, the triune God, rather than idolatrous substitutes.

The Power of Hope

Hope is a skill that develops over time, and it is also a corporate venture that needs the reminders of the body of Christ. We must commit ourselves to a church where the story of hope is told, and seek opportunities for daily reminders. We must trust in God's wisdom, sovereignty, and power, and have faith that He is working all things together for our good. As we do this, we will find that our hopes are purified, and that we are strengthened to continue to hope, even when so many dreams have proved unattainable. We will find that our hope is not a chimera, but a real and powerful force that can overcome even the darkest of circumstances.