by BISHOP BERTHA JONES
Today, we will take a look at Hope. We will see what is hope, why you need hope, and where you can find hope.
What is hope? According to Webster, hope is a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. It is a feeling of trust. Hope is to want, to look for, to anticipate. It is wanting something to happen or come true. Hope is an optimistic state of mind that is based on expectation of a positive outcome.
So why is hope necessary?
Each day we live, we need to have hope. It is our expectation that our outcomes, as we go through everyday life, will be positive. If it is something you’ve hoped for yesterday and you did not receive it yet, you maintain optimism or hope that you will receive it tomorrow. So, looking at our situations today, we need hope for our doubts, fears, disappointments, worries, and depressions. In the midst of our trials, we need hope. In II Cor. 4:8-9, Paul states, "We are troubled on every side, yet, not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down but not destroyed…". Hope inspires us to live holy, it leads us to patience. Yes, we need hope to live from day to day.
Where is our hope? Where is our expectation? Who or what can you trust? Well, here is a hymn writer who says it best. Robert Critchley writes, "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ, the solid rock, I stand, all others ground is sinking sand…". Yes, Jesus is our hope today and always. Hope is the anchor for our soul. Keep your hope alive for in Jesus, you have eternal life.
