“Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be’.” – Romans 4:18
By Pachia
September 2022
Having a hopeless or helpless outlook on life is the most common symptom of depression as defined in the medical world today. Instead of utilizing psychiatry or psychology for a cure or relief, as Christians we have a greater antidote and it is written in the Bible. It is called Hope.
Hope in the Bible is not “wishful thinking,” as commonly understood in this world. The Bible defines “hope” to mean “to trust in, wait for, look for, or desire something or someone; or to expect something beneficial in the future.” Hope is a confident expectation and the proper response to the promises of God. When hope has attained its object it ceases to be hope and becomes possession.
As Christians, yes, we have a hope beyond the grave. This is the ultimate hope we have, to be with Jesus after death and the hope in His return as our Bridegroom coming for us, His Bride. Yet we are also to have a hope before the grave and amidst life’s trials and circumstances. Sometimes it is not easy to have hope, especially in a world of sin, pain and in difficult life circumstances; however, as Christians, we are to have hope, no matter what, as an anchor in our soul, as Hebrews 6:19 says: “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” The hope we have in Jesus is like an anchor that grounds us and steadies our souls.”
- Have you checked your soul lately and is it anchored in hope during these last days?
- How do we get more hope?
God is molding us as pottery in the potter’s hand and as we surrender our lives to Jesus, we are being transformed into the likeness of Christ day by day. If we are missing some likeness of Christ, such as hope, we can ask the Holy Spirit for more hope to abound in us since He is the source of hope through his power (Romans 15:13). Hope is also a decision we make in our mind based on our knowledge of who God is and who we are to God (our identity in God). As Christians, the battle we face is in our soul, which is our mind, will and emotions. Following Jesus, or living sold out for Jesus is a lifelong process of fine-tuning our self-control over our mind, will and emotions to be like Jesus.
Sometimes we must hope in things that seem impossible. Our heart posture is to wait in hope, as Abraham did in Romans 4:18, “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be’.”
Did Jesus have hope? Yes. In Hebrews 12:2 it says he was looking forward to the future in hope for the joy set before Him he endured the cross: “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
As followers of Jesus, no matter the trials in life, when we feel overwhelmed and hopeless and also in regards to the seemingly increasing darkness in the world, we make a decision to hope. It begins with being satisfied in God and trusting God for the security of our future. If we aren’t, we will be anxious and fearful resulting in self-centered thoughts and actions to control our future. But when we know who God is and who we are to God and in God through Christ Jesus, then we can have confidence for God to take care of us in the future.
I pray for you: 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
How to have a relationship with Jesus:
The Bible says in Romans 10:9, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” If you would like to have a relationship with Jesus, you can pray this prayer below, and make sure you get connected to a Bible-based church to help you walk out and grow in your relationship with Jesus. May God richly bless you!
Prayer to Receive Jesus:
Dear Lord Jesus, I believe in my heart that you died on the cross for my sins and rose on the third day. Thank you for your cross. Please forgive me for my sins. I repent or turn away from my sins and receive you Jesus as my God, Lord and Savior of my life. Jesus I invite you to come into my heart. Help me Holy Spirit to know Jesus more and help me to live my life for Jesus. In Jesus’ mighty Name I pray, Amen.
Contact by Email: pachia@the-way-ministries.com