Weekly Thought- July 2, 2019
Fred lived in a state of realistic hope. He disciplined himself to take neither a darkly pessimistic, nor hyper optimistic viewpoint. He challenged others to “wait to worry.” He was a fact-based thinker which allowed him to live in hope while keeping current on the situation and not drifting off into the wish mentality.
2019 is an exciting year for BWF. The revisions on You and Your Network are being done. We are working with Tracey Jones, President of Tremendous Leadership Books. A manuscript for What’s Next is in process, as well. And, of course, the vital and necessary updates on the websites are beginning. Please continue to pray for these projects and if led, please help us financially underwrite these efforts.
Grounded in Hope
The three key words in the closing verses of 1 Corinthians 13 are “faith, hope, and love.” Is the Apostle Paul making a climactic statement that hope is more than faith and love is greater than hope? Certainly, it is one of the controlling emotions in our lives. Faith is largely present, hope is largely future, and love transcends all time. Hope is our belief in the future based on Christ who holds it. Hope is not for the seen, but the unseen much like faith.
As the philosopher said, “a man can stand almost anything as long as he has hope.” When hope goes and hopelessness becomes the ruling emotion, suicide is often the course. Scripture says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is like a tree of life.”
I have a Polish physical therapist whose job is to stretch my muscles back into usefulness after months and months of being bed-bound. I find when he counts out loud I have hope of his quitting because I know the routine and know when the end is coming. When he doesn’t I don’t have the confidence that the end is in sight. Hope energizes patience. It gives reason for tenacity. It promotes discipline in accomplishment.
The source of hope is not hoping in hope, but in putting hope in something larger and more permanent like Scripture, or our belief that our life has purpose – even when we don’t see it. Hope requires a definable object. Hope for the Christian is eternity – the “blessed hope.” That opens the door for us to hope while here on earth. Mary Alice’s favorite hymn was “Take the Name of Jesus With You.” She rocked our three children and sang that song. As we said goodbye to her, the family stood together and sang that hymn. One of the phrases refers to the hope we have in the name of Jesus which is “the hope of earth and joy of heaven.” Another favorite hymn line is : “my hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’s blood and righteousness.” That is hope anchored in reality and truth.
Hope also provides peace for those of us who require objectivity. We can take hope in a changeless God. He can be the standard because he doesn’t waiver. We can hope in who He says He is because he means it.
This week think about: 1) Where is my ultimate hope? 2) How do I distinguish hope from wishing? 3) What allows me to live with hope?
Words of Wisdom: “Hope energizes patience. It gives reason for tenacity. It promotes discipline in accomplishment.”
Wisdom from the Word: “And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:5 NET Bible)