In the midst of life's storms and challenges, hope can often feel elusive. The weight of circumstances can make it difficult to see beyond the present troubles. However, true hope is not rooted in our circumstances but in our relationship with God through Jesus Christ. This relational security with God is the foundation upon which our hope is built, and it is from this foundation that hope overflows into every aspect of our lives.

Relational Security: The Foundation of Hope

So much vulnerability and insecurity can arise in relationships.  If you’ve ever seen one of the popular dating shows where participants have to make a bold choice without knowing if the other person will reciprocate, you have a firsthand example of this type of uncertainty. This can feel much like our relationship with God.  If were to tell you today, you're getting a face-to-face meeting with God himself, what would be your internal reaction? Would you have a lump in your throat, unsure of what awaits you?  

For many, the thought of meeting God face-to-face can evoke feelings of fear, shame, or unworthiness. However, the Bible paints a different picture. Through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we have been "set right with God" (Romans 5:1, NIV). God is not worried about his relationship with you, so why are you?  The foundation of our hope lies in understanding that Jesus has already done the work to reconcile us to God, and through Him, we have "peace with God" (Romans 5:1, NIV).

The Overflow of Hope

Once we grasp this relational security with God, hope becomes an overflow into our circumstances. Romans 5:3-5 (MSG) says, "We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know that troubles develop passionate patience in us, and that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue keeping us alert for whatever God will do next." This passage reveals that hope is not just a belief in a future miracle but a present reality that sustains us through difficulties.

Hope is more than believing for a miracle in difficulty. Hope is the miracle in difficulty. When we face challenges, our ability to maintain hope, to not be consumed by fear or despair, is a miracle in itself – a testament to the power of our relationship with God. This hope is not based on circumstances but on the unshakable truth that we are secure in our relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

The Living Hope: Jesus

At the heart of our hope is Jesus Himself.  Jesus is your hope. Without Jesus, I can't really teach you how to have hope because life is problematic. But with Jesus, we have an answer. He is our hope, and He is alive and well. This living hope cannot be defeated or broken, for even death could not hold Jesus. He is the resurrected hope, victorious over sin, death, and the grave.

When we struggle to find hope within ourselves, we can look to Jesus, the embodiment of hope. He is our anchor, strength, and source of hope in every situation. By keeping our eyes fixed on Him, we can radiate hope to a world that desperately needs it.

Overcoming the Fear of Hope

One fear that can hinder our hope is the fear of disappointment.  If we hope, what if it doesn't happen?  However, our hope is not circumstantial but rooted in our relationship with God. Even if circumstances do not unfold as we hoped, our hope is not diminished because our foundation is in God Himself. Our hope isn't circumstantial. Remember the foundation of our hope is not everything going our way. The foundation of our hope is that we are set right with God. 

Conclusion

In a world filled with uncertainty and challenges, be encouraged in your hope today.  Our hope flows from the relational security we have with God through Jesus Christ. When we understand that we are set right with God, accepted and loved by Him, hope becomes an overflow into every aspect of our lives.

This hope is not a fleeting emotion or a temporary respite but a powerful force that sustains us through the storms of life. It is a distinctly Christian virtue, rooted in the living hope of Jesus Christ, who conquered sin and death on our behalf.

As we embrace this truth and allow hope to overflow from our relationship with God, we become beacons of hope in a world desperately needing it. So let us cling to the living hope, Jesus Christ, and let His hope overflow into our lives, relationships, and circumstances, transforming us and impacting those around us.