Biblical Answer

Hope is distinctly human, and regardless of how difficult life has been, we can remember when we had hopes and dreams. We looked forward to the future. Children anticipate a favorite dessert, and adults anticipate a new home, a new job, or a new relationship. Hope is a skill that develops over time and is a corporate venture that needs the reminders of the body of Christ. Committing to a church where the story is told and seeking opportunities for daily reminders can help us nurture hope.

However, hope can be fragile and often fear that our hopes are empty, hollow, mere specters without a home. This fear can lead to despair, which is lethal. Hopelessness can be a result of dashed hopes, which come when we want something and don't get it. For example, we may dream about financial security by the time we are forty, but we are still living hand-to-mouth. In such cases, it is essential to remember that our hopes are not in vain and that God is sovereign over all creation.

In the darkest of times, it is crucial to hold on to hope, which is a skill that develops over time. Hope is not a form of escapism or wishful thinking but a theological virtue that involves looking forward to the eternal world. As Christians, we can find hope in Christ, who not only offers consolation in suffering but also protests the divine presence in our lives. We can pray for eyes to see and for the right person to be interested in someone else. We can also remember that our present hopelessness is sin, and we need to put our trust in Christ. Ultimately, hope is not just a feeling but a decision to trust in God's wisdom, sovereignty, and power.