Biblical Answer

Understanding the Importance of Hope

Hope is a vital aspect of human life, and it is essential to keep it alive, especially when things seem to be going wrong. Hope is not just a feeling, but a skill that develops over time with practice. It is also a corporate venture that requires the reminders of the body of Christ. As the Bible says, "Wake yourself up and look to God. Build your hope on Him. No matter how many things seem to be pressing in on you, be determined to push them aside and look to Him" (January 23, 11). This is a reminder that our hope should be built on God, and not on things that are temporal and fleeting.

Practicing Hope

Practicing hope requires a willingness to look to God and trust in His sovereignty. When things seem to be going wrong, it is easy to lose hope, but this is not the solution. Instead, we should pray for eyes to see, and seek to understand God's perspective on our situation. We should also look to the body of Christ for support and encouragement, and commit ourselves to a church where the story of God's redemption is told. As the Bible says, "Hope takes practice. Consider this psalm a condensed version of a long learning process. God has determined that many good things come through perseverance" (January 23, 11). This reminds us that hope is not something that we can achieve on our own, but rather it is a gift that comes from God through our perseverance and trust in Him.

Finding Hope in God

Ultimately, finding hope in God requires a personal relationship with Him. We must look to God, not just as a means to an end, but as an end in Himself. When we look to God, we find that He is a God of hope, and that He is always working to bring good out of our circumstances. As the Bible says, "Salvation is yours the moment you look" (January 23, 11). This reminds us that hope is not something that we have to earn or achieve, but rather it is a gift that is available to us the moment we look to God. So, when everything seems to be going wrong, we should not lose hope, but rather we should look to God, and trust in His sovereignty and goodness. By doing so, we will find that our hope is not just a feeling, but a living, breathing reality that sustains us in the midst of adversity.