Coaches Corner: Hope is not merely a tiny word

I have been inspired to write this week’s article on hope. I have a treasured friend who mentioned hope on one of his reels, and it got me thinking about hope. He was looking for a definition of hope and what it means. It is one word that I believe is difficult to narrow down. From his journal, he read, “Hope and hopelessness are part of my disease. Hope tells me there is a better way.” I couldn’t agree more. There is a better way.

Hope is not merely a tiny word; it wears big shoes of unwavering determination. It is the tie that connects us to our desires and dreams, and its opposite, fear, is the shadow we cast when we fear those dreams won’t come true.

Hope, in its essence, is a light guiding us toward a brighter tomorrow, a tomorrow where the weight of our struggles today will have faded into the past.

Sometimes, though, we stumble upon negativity, locking our hearts into what we hope will never occur. Yet, this is not the hope we find in the wisdom of the Bible. It teaches us that hope in God is absolute, grounded in the very nature of who He is. When we place our hope in God, we can stand confidently, knowing that whatever burdens we carry, we can entrust them to Him.

In Hebrew, the word for hope, “Tikvah,” means more than mere wishful thinking; it means expectation. It also carries the connotation of a cord or a rope, symbolizing the binding and waiting inherent to hope.

Hope, you see, is not just a fleeting dream; it is a resilient expectation, a powerful expression of faith. It’s a promise from a loving God that we will one day be fully and completely restored to His glorious presence.

In the original Greek, “Elpis,” the word for hope implies certainty. It’s the anticipation of something sure to happen, a subject filled with confident expectation.

Defining hope can be a challenge. Ask anyone, and you’ll find that many pause to contemplate its depth and meaning.

I, too, am intrigued by this word. When I was in London for Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral a year ago, I heard John Donne’s poem, “Our Last Awakening.” Donne beautifully portrays the idea of entering heaven.

Part of the poem says, “Where there shall be no darkness nor dazzling, but one equal light; no noise nor silence, but one equal music; no fears or hopes, but one equal possession.”

This poem is a prayer or a meditation that expresses a desire to be welcomed into Heaven. It is a request to God for a peaceful and harmonious existence in the heavenly realm.

In breaking down the poem;

“Where there is no darkness, only perfect clarity and knowledge. No noise or silence exists, only harmonious and eternal music, signifying unending joy and peace. In heaven, there are no fears or hopes, no anxieties or aspirations; everyone will possess the same sense of contentment and completeness. How wonderful is this existence?

I have never thought of hope in such a context. Ultimately, there is certainty and fulfillment to hope. Hope, viewed in this light, took on a whole new meaning. It becomes a fulfillment of our deepest desires.

Hope in God is a powerful force, a compass guiding us through life’s uncertainties, a sustaining power that renews our strength. As the scripture says, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

Many of us use the word hope freely. I hope you have a great day; I hope to get on the flight, etc. However, hope is a term intended for expressing certainty or assurance.

In our daily lives filled with hopes and anxieties, we often use the word “hope” with a hint of doubt. But remember, hope in God is different. It is a rock-solid foundation on which we can build our lives, a steadfast assurance that our dreams will find fulfillment. So, let us hold onto hope with unwavering faith, for it is powerful enough to illuminate the darkest paths and bring us to a future filled with promise and purpose.

I want you to be inspired to reflect and embrace hope with unwavering faith and confidence in a brighter future.

“Hope is the anchor of the soul.” Hebrews 6:19

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