“I Hope So”?

For as far back as I can remember, I’ve heard people say “I hope so” to express their desire for something to become a reality. They hoped they would pass the test, get the job, win the game, be accepted to college, or have success at whatever was their endeavor. How great is your hope?

Hope is a universal human trait. Everyone has hopes throughout their lifetime. Some say, “Hope springs eternal,” usually meaning they continue to hope even when the chances are bleak. This idiom comes from a poem, An Essay on Man, by Alexander Pope, in which he says, “Hope springs eternal in the human breast.”

Psychologists have researched the benefits of hope and determined that those who show greater degrees of hopefulness have greater emotional health and less negativity, depression, and loneliness. Physical health benefits likewise improved, including fewer chronic illnesses, lower risk of cancer, and better sleep. Other studies of hope show that those who have hope are better able to cope with life’s problems.

In English, hope is generally defined as a wish, desire, or expectation. We hope for and wish for and desire a certain outcome that is possible but not certain. If we assess the odds of our expectation coming to pass as very high, our hope becomes confidence in the expected outcome, which is like biblical hope.

The Bible says that hope, along with faith and love (1 Corinthians 13:13), is one of the greatest aspects of Christian character. While love is the greatest, faith and hope are two great qualities we should also have.

The Bible uses several Hebrew words translated as “hope.” Generally, these words mean to expect, trust, wait for, or have confidence or assurance. The Greek words translated “hope” also mean to expect, trust, anticipate, or have confidence or faith.

In Lamentations 3, the prophet Jeremiah laments the horrible destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon. In the dire circumstances of such despair and suffering, he felt that hope had perished (v. 18). He remembers the Lord’s mercies and hopes in Him (v. 20–24). Jeremiah declares, “It is good that one should hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord” (v. 26). Having hope is a good thing, especially when the thing hoped for is salvation. Nothing could be more sure than hoping in God.

When life’s problems seem overwhelming, we should consider the future God has for us.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God…. we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope [elpizō – expect, trust] for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance (Romans 8:18–25).

Today’s news is filled with troubles, leaving many feeling overwhelmed and depressed. We see wars, crimes, violence, illegal drugs, addictions, diseases, poverty, food and water insecurity, destructive weather, corrupt governments, and more. We may feel powerless and hopeless to do anything about it, but we must always, always, always take encouragement and consider the words of the Apostle Paul:  “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).

For more on this subject, we hope you will watch the Tomorrow’s World programs “Humanity’s Last Hope” and “Revelation: A Message of Warning… and Hope!” Also be sure to order your free copy of the study guide Is This the Only Day of Salvation?