Defining HOPE

Is there a right definition of hope?

Possible.

Someone recently asked me to give my definition of hope or, more precisely, she asked me what hope meant to me. Possible was the first word that came to my mind. I know that with hope, all things become possible. But hope is so much more than possible.

The Best Definition of HOPE

Is there a best way to define hope?

Strength.

When I picture hope, an image of a fortified tower comes to mind. It protects and shields from the attacks. Hope offers up these same attributes. It protects the soul and shields the heart. But hope is so much bigger than strength.

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Promise.

The foundation where hope stands has been built with the promises of God. This foundation is about Him – what He has done and what He will do, as well as Who and What He is. But hope encompasses so much more than promise.

Can Hope be Defined

Can hope be defined or will that confine it into something less than it is?

Peace.

The peace that passes all understanding shows up in the life where a heart fully rests in hope. It is not about what is seen, but about what is known. And still, hope holds so much more than peace.

I have been thinking about her questions since I first read over it. Hope seems impossible to define and yet it is so fundamental in my journey. It seems so intangible and yet it holds me up and drives me forward.

What is my definition of hope? I would have to say that hope is the promise of possibility that comes from a settled and unquestionable understanding (a peace) in God and through God that produces strength in the storm, through the storm, and from the storm.

Focust Makes the Way for Growing HOPE

I said: “But we were so happy.”
God replied: “But I want you to be holy.” – Sherri Burgess

The world – on a good day – will be grey (on a bad day it will be lightless, lifeless, and suffocating). I am not called to live by the directives and attitudes of the world – but to move up to a higher place.

Sherri Burgess reminded me recently that it is about so much more than what meets the eye. I have to grow up my relationship with God, by building a foundation in and on the Word, and then I will be in a position not only to see the Light but to reflect it to the world.

Moving from Grey Days to the Power of HOPE

1. I have to read the Word every single day – there is no way around this one. It takes my own personal investment in the word to make the word a priority in who I am and where I am going.

2. Share with others – on a regular basis if not daily – when I regularly share my journey with others then I can begin to see the delusion of grey and I can also make the corrections I need to get back on track.

3. Recognize the grey – the Son is there – ALWAYS – I just sometimes have to work harder to see.

4. Talk it out – nothing can replace a personal relationship with God and that personal relationship is grown up with conversation.

5. Keep a journey – when I write it down, then I have a reminder for the future but I also have a focus for the moment.

Prepare for Growing HOPE

Things happen – with our without the red flag waving. Things always happen. Things seem to happen most often when I am just settled into what I am supposed to be doing. What I do next will make all the difference.

Simple Steps to Deal When Things Happen

1. Take a breath. Breathe in for a count of ten and then slowly let that breathe out to a count of fifteen. I can’t react to the things that come up if I am busy counting my breaths. The time out gives me time to make the best choice for responding.
2. Expect the attack. The attacks are coming – maybe not today and maybe not tomorrow – but they will show up. If I expect them then I can position myself to handle them.
3. Make a plan that is firm but flexible. When I set up my Scripture reading plan, I created a system that takes me through the whole Bible every two months. I look at the date and then I look at the corresponding reading. If I miss a day, it’s okay. I just pick up the next day and move forward. I am setting up a chore system that will work with the same regularity. I know when to do what needs to be done, but I don’t panic if it’s missed.
4. Keep the focus near you at all times. When the distractions show up, I used to forget what I was doing. Sometimes I would start back on something completely unrelated to what I had planned to do. Now, I have my Focus Folder that is small enough to keep handy and handy enough to keep me focused.
5. Refuse to let the emotions rule. This is the hardest for me. When the annoyance – or worse, the anger – begins to well up, it picks up steam . . . LITERALLY. I have to do something – smile, laugh, go for a walk and yell at the sky – anything to regain control of the emotions determine to run out of control.

Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”
– Psalm 37: 3 – 4

I have it in me to be all that my heart desires – IF I can get to a place where I truly believe that I have it in me and that I can get there. Henry Ford once said “If you think you can or you think you can’t – you’re right.” I want to invest in the cans. I must invest in Growing HOPE.

Be blessed,

Continue to Invest in Growing HOPE

Practical Proverbs offers simple ideas – pulled from the Wisdom of the Proverbs – to live a life of peace, joy, and encouragement. Purchase your copy today.

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