Hope
With the glistening sun before us, we close our eyes and feel the warmth of the earth. As our eyelids open wide once again, we put our hand atop our eyebrows to see up ahead, moving forward with each step and each breath …
I suppose hope doesn’t always feel that simple. If we’ve been disappointed by our circumstances, others, or even ourselves, then hope might feel more like a last resort. I know for me I have to be careful where I place my eyes, literally and figuratively.
Our vision is so vital that it’s worth protecting. Sight is a wonderful privilege, especially if we can see what can be or will be. Essentially, that’s hope—to expect something specific to happen, to anticipate a good outcome.
“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.”
“She is strong and is respected by the people. She looks forward to the future with joy.”
It’s important that we visualize ourselves living in the future, doing the things we want and living the life we dream of having. While I believe it is vital to live in the moment, most of us get trapped by the anxiety of a fruitless future. This ultimately robs us of our today.
We can’t have selective hope. Hope should be a daily choice we make, a firm resolution in our beliefs and values. Psalm 25:5 (NLT) says, “Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.” Every second of every minute of every day we’re called to a life of hope in God.
All.Day.Long.
And really, any moment is a moment for hopefulness. Our eyes contain the power to influence our choices. Look for the good. Look for what’s going to inspire the right steps forward. Be confident and have hopeful eyes.
We can restore our relationship with hope and be fearlessly excited about the future awaiting us.
Here are some practical ways we can incorporate a vision of hope into our daily routines
Look at one picture that inspires your deepest heart’s desire
Find the bright side to a disappointment and write it down. It could open the door to something new and better
Define what hope means to you and keep a reminder of that on your phone or on a sticky note somewhere you look often.
Write out two confessions about hope and recite them out loud
Pray about what you want to be hopeful for
If your sights are off, ask a friend to help you see the good all around you
Start reading a book about hope and let it soak into your heart
Discover something small and simple that can contribute to the outcome you want and then accomplish it. Small victories matter. For instance, let’s say you hope to increase your streams of income. One small step toward that is to do research and view your options.
Take a risk you believe will contribute to your hopefulness. For example, if you want to develop good friendships, then start a conversation with someone or invite someone to lunch. Start by being friendly.
Remind yourself that there is beauty and purpose in every season of life, including the one you’re in right now
5 Verse Study
Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.
Hebrews 11:1 CSB
Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God—soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God.
Psalm 42:5 MSG
The eyes of all look to you in hope; you give them their food as they need it.
Psalm 145:15 NLT
Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.
Hebrews 10:23 NLT
The fears of the wicked will be fulfilled; the hopes of the godly will be granted.
Proverbs 10:24 NLT