I was having a conversation with my husband today and I was talking to him about many who have lost their hope. And he said, hope has an element of doubt, but faith is pure belief. It took me a moment to grasp what He said, because the Bible tells us to hope in God. So I had to go do some thinking. Because it’s true, when we say, “I hope you feel better” or “I hope I get that job” or “I hope God is there” could have an element of doubt because we don’t know what is really going to happen in those situations. That is why we need faith. There is a song that says, “Faith, hope and charity that’s the way to live successfully, how do I know the Bible tells me so.” So faith and hope are different! I believe hope builds us towards faith, because hope helps us believe. Faith on the other hand is PURE belief!
I see this as two roads traveled. We can walk peacefully along (which is faith), or we can be drug kicking and screaming (that is doubt and unbelief). Within that doubt and unbelief is “hope.” However, in order for hope to work it needs to be mixed with faith and trust. Which road will you take? We can certainly hope, but mix it with believing God, otherwise you may cast doubt on what you ask for or desire, and the Bible says that whatever you believe let it be done… whether good or bad.
Then while talking with the Lord further on this, He gave me a clearer insight. Because I read in the bible that we are to “Hope in God.” And if there is doubt in hope, then can I doubt God? Well, yes we can, IF we struggle with trusting Him as our Father. However, if we “hope” in God, that produces our faith. But if we simply hope, that can open us for doubt. That is why He says to “Hope ONLY in God.” This is how it looks. Lets say you need something like a job. You can say, “I hope that I get that job I just interviewed for” which leaves you open for doubting you’ll get it, or you can say, “I put all my hope in God for the job.” Two totally different mindsets with different possible outcomes. One produces faith, the other can produce doubt.
I think I’m changing my thinking today too! And putting all my Hope in God… in and for all things…. no matter what it is… How about you? Even the most seasoned Christian can hope more in God…
