"For in this hope, we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." - Romans 8:24-25
Everyone carries baggage, but it seems we all handle it differently. Past regrets, concerns about the present, worries, or fears for the future. Sometimes, that baggage seems overwhelming, threatening to bury us, causing us to feel like we are drowning in a tsunami of worry and fear. We feel like there is nowhere to turn.
In this life, imprisonment comes in many forms – work, materialism, and debt. But imprisonment can also be more damaging, dangerous, and harder to escape. Addictions like alcohol or drugs, sex, and pornography. Homosexual tendencies or attractions. Debilitating diseases. Broken or even abusive relationships we can’t seem to find our way out of. The unexpected loss of a loved one. Betrayal. Bitterness that simply won’t go away. The battles of being a single parent. That’s a long list, and I might have missed yours. Experiences – existences – such as these can be like dungeons. They can wrap us up like a huge octopus – a devilfish. We want to escape – we even try to escape, but too often, it is like quicksand – we stay too close to the edge, dragging us right back in.
How do we find – how do we embrace – hope, joy, and peace in a life filled with struggle and disillusionment? When we are battling the demons of today, how do we find the angels of tomorrow to help us out of the dilemma? Those battles can often seem overwhelming – like a mountain cliff we have no chance of climbing. We are usually incapable of climbing the cliff on our own – or of keeping our heads above water in the tsunami. We can’t do it alone. But maybe we don’t have to. Maybe escape - hope, joy, and peace – isn’t something we have to work so hard at by ourselves. Maybe they aren’t something we find on our own. Maybe, just maybe, hope, joy, and peace are gifts – gifts that are offered like God’s grace. It is there for us if we are only willing to accept it.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33
Jesus offers the hope we seek. Jesus provides the relief where we could find no relief. Jesus is the answer. Jesus own words tell us he, himself, is the one we must turn to. He is the one who can help us. Actually, no – not help. He is the one who can take care of us, if we just let him. And his invitation is open to all, for anyone who truly opens their heart to him:
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30 ESV
Sometimes, it is hard to appreciate the light until we have seen and experienced darkness. Often, that light seems to be a flicker at the end of a dark tunnel. But when we reach it, that flicker is the bright light that lifts us out of the darkness. That is Christ Jesus. He is that flicker – nay, that bright light - we yearn for.
"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'” - John 16:33
Our human definition of hope conveys the idea of a level of doubt – often followed by “so.” “I sure hope so.” But that is a far cry from the Biblical definition.
"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." - Hebrews 11:1
Biblical hope is not a feeling – it is a trusted reality. When we are asked if we are going to heaven when we die, our answer is not “I hope so.” We don’t “hope so” – we know so. Biblical hope is built on a foundation of faith – trust – in God and his promises. We can – and should – build our very lives on that foundation. On the absolute knowledge that God keeps his promises. In almost every case, the original Greek word for hope in the New Testament is elpis or elpizo. In the original language, there is no doubt attached to this word. Biblical hope is confident expectation. We may not see it yet, but we know it’s definitely coming. That hope is based on the sure foundation of Jesus Christ and allows us to wait with joy and full confidence. There is no doubt about it. Paul describes it this way:
"For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." - Romans 8:24-25
We can’t begin or pretend to understand God’s reasons for things. We have to trust that he knows better than we do. That his thoughts are above ours and his way is above our way. (Isaiah 55:8-9). The truth is that people do not turn to God when everything is great and peachy. During times of prosperity, people don’t feel the need for God. In times of trial and struggle, people reach out to God for help.
Do you know those little doodle sheets that restaurants often give to kids? They almost always include a maze, don’t they? That maze is often easy for adults but challenging for young children. Adults, of course, have a different perspective. But isn’t that much like the giant lifelong maze we live in? Full of potential wrong turns and dead ends. But God has a perspective that we don’t. He sees it all – he sees the correct path. His path for us. He says,
“Be still, and know that I am God.” - Psalm 46:10
Paul is such an example for us in the New Testament. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul expressed amazing joy and peace – and yes, hope. Confidence in God’s word. Yet, the letter was written (along with three others, known as the “Prison Epistles) while serving Roman imprisonment, with little hope for release. Even so, Paul encouraged his readers – encouraged us – in this way:
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:4-7
In every situation – not for every situation. Even so, we cannot expect God to change our circumstances immediately. He will not give us what we want merely so we can have peace. He may even go the opposite way – increasing the struggle until we can respond as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, “God will rescue me. But even if he doesn’t, I will worship him and no other.” (Daniel 3 – paraphrase) When Job was in the midst of his extreme trials, he said to his three friends, “Even though God may slay me – yet I will hope in him.” (Job 13:15) Our hearts are more important to God than our circumstances. Even in the middle of a trial, rather than dwelling on God delivering us from the battle, perhaps we ought to focus on how he can deliver us within the battle.
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Here is the real deal, though. Jesus doesn’t just want your words that you believe. He doesn’t just want you to just “believe.” He wants all of you. All of your faith. He wants your heart, your life, your surrender to him. He wants you to abide in him. (1 John 2:5-6)
What does it mean to abide? It means to live in him – and him in you. It means holding on to and growing a permanent, strong relationship with him. A bond that can never be broken. It means allowing His Word to fill our minds and hearts and transform us from the inside out. To abide in Christ means making Christ Jesus the object of our lives – not the physical stuff we are going through now. When we are going through a storm, God is with us always. Like Peter, we need to keep our eyes focused on Jesus, and we will be able to walk on water.
"Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, 'Lord, save me!'
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. 'You of little faith,' he said, 'why did you doubt?'” - Matthew 14:29-31
But the truth is, saying these words is pretty easy—doing this takes intentional effort. We cannot simply say we believe and expect miracles to happen in our lives. Building a relationship takes some effort and commitment. How do we do that?
Take time daily to connect with God. Don’t worry about the words you use – God already knows what you need, and the Holy Spirit will convey it in ways we can’t even understand. (Romans 8:26-27)
Commit to reading one chapter per day of the Gospels until you’re through them all. Focus on who Jesus is and what he did. Read one psalm per day, if you can. Understand all David went through despite being the “apple of the Lord’s eye.” (Psalm 17)
Really connect. Don’t be afraid to ask for help – no matter what you’re going through.
This is a more critical step for some than for others, but it can be very important to help ease the burden of your battles.
If you still struggle to find hope, shift your focus to what you hope will happen. Try to see with the vision of faith rather than only the physical world before you. Instead of hoping things will work out as you choose – and when you choose – try to rely on his promise that you’ll still be okay, no matter what happens. He still loves you, and you will still be his child.
"Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." - Psalm 43:5
Jesus has already attained victory – not just for the next life, but for life right now. In his own words, we can experience abundant life through the Holy Spirit. (John 10:10) My prayer for you comes from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians –
"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:14-21)
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Grant Faint
Greg doesn’t pretend to be a pastor, a theologian, or a Bible expert, but offers the perspective of an everyday guy on the same journey as everyone else – in pursuit of truth.
Greg can be reached by email or on Facebook @ Greg Grandchamp - Author.