ARE YOU HOPEFUL?

ARE YOU HOPEFUL?

By: Lynne Fenton , B.A. (Psychology), MDiv (Counselling)

Published On: December 7, 2014

Where are you on life’s journey? Are you beaming on the top of a mountain, strolling through a meadow on a plateau, or stumbling in the depths of a valley? Wherever you find yourself, do you feel hopeful? For many, the feeling of hope will fluctuate in sync with the positive or negative circumstances of life. It is possible, however, to have a stable feeling of hope.

Hope is a feeling combined of desire and expectation. It is a desire for something good to take place, while expecting or being confident that it will happen. For example, people who have a Christian worldview, hope, i.e. desire and confidently expect, Jesus to return to earth one day, and to live forever with Him in heaven.

In general, human beings hope to be successful in all areas of life including relationships, career, activities, health, among a few. Hope implies a certain amount of perseverance, believing that something is possible even when there is some evidence to the contrary.

In general, each human being feels a certain level of hope. (Although persons of a certain world view such as an atheist, may define hope as merely a fabrication of the mind). Anyway, presuming that hope truly exists, its level depends on its source. Hope may be directed toward something minor or toward something extremely significant. In order to have a stable feeling of hope, we need to make sure we find it in the proper source.

The source of hope will depend on the worldview. A person with a Christian worldview places hope in the person of Jesus Christ. People with a different belief system will put hope in various other entities. Hope is often placed in people that are respected, loved and trusted such as leaders, family members, and friends. What is your source of hope? Does it provide you with a stable feeling of hope?

Today, I challenge you to examine your level of hope. Does your feeling of hope fluctuate depending on whether life is going well or going poorly? Have you found your hope in a source that is consistent, stable, reliable and true?

If you have lost all hope, or find it near to impossible to believe that anything good could come in your life in the future, please reach out to someone trustworthy. Here at Bayridge, we are people full of hope. We believe that change is possible, that good things can come, even after a major, negative, life-altering event. You CAN feel hopeful again. Let us help you along the journey of life.