Living as People of Hope

Everything about this man’s demeanor, words, and smile conveyed hope.

It was impossible to talk with him and leave feeling let down, disappointed, or discouraged. Frank wasn’t someone who would ordinarily attract attention because of his appearance, education, or eloquence. Yet his words were warm, considerate, and encouraging.

People loved to listen to him.

I had the privilege of knowing Frank. And I knew that a surface observation did not reveal the enormous struggle he had faced throughout his life. But despite his sufferings, Frank radiated a contagious beauty that attracted many.

I know others whose circumstances give them every reason to feel discouraged, yet their lives somehow reflect something that’s so hopeful.

I see this in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and here at home. 

People facing uncertainty, hardship, and sometimes circumstances that seem almost overwhelming. They don’t pretend that life is easy. They don’t deny their struggles or suggest everything will eventually work out as they hope.

But there is something about the way they live that encourages me.

What makes their lives so compelling isn’t their ability to remain positive in difficult circumstances. It is something much deeper.

As I’ve reflected on their examples, I’ve found myself asking a personal question:

Several weeks ago, we began this series by considering Paul’s prayer for the believers in Rome:

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
— Romans 15:13 (ESV)

As we’ve explored the meaning of Christian hope, we’ve been reminded that our hope doesn’t depend on favorable circumstances, positive thinking, or our ability to control what happens next.

And now, as we conclude this series, I find myself returning to Paul’s words with a renewed appreciation for what he was praying.

Notice that Paul doesn’t simply encourage believers to be hopeful.

God is the source. He fills us with joy and peace as we trust Him. And through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are enabled to abound in hope.

We don’t have to manufacture hope. We receive it from the One who is its source.

And perhaps something else happens as we continue walking with Christ.

Our world is filled with uncertainty. Whether we live in Armenia, Eastern Europe, or here in America, we encounter people carrying heavy burdens.

Wars, economic uncertainty, broken relationships, personal suffering, and questions about the future are realities that touch lives everywhere.

And sometimes the uncertainty around us produces fear, frustration, and anger.

But something powerful can happen when someone encounters a person whose life reflects a different spirit. Someone like my friend Frank.

Peter offers an important perspective.

Writing to believers who were experiencing opposition and suffering, he encourages them to be prepared to explain the reason for their hope.

“…always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect…” — 1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)

I find those final words particularly meaningful.

Peter doesn’t suggest that believers should abandon their convictions or remain silent about their faith.

He reminds them that the way they express those convictions matters.

And perhaps this is one of the ways the hope of Christ becomes visible in a world that so desperately needs it.

Not because we’ve learned how to appear calm or optimistic, but because Christ is forming His character within us.

That doesn’t mean we’ll always respond perfectly. I know I don’t. There are times when fear gets the better of me, or frustration influences my words.

But as we continue walking with Christ, His Spirit shapes the way we respond to difficulty and the way we treat others.

When I think about Frank and others whose hope has encouraged me, I realize how much their lives have influenced mine.

I wonder if we sometimes underestimate the encouragement our lives can bring to others.

We may never know how a quiet word, a gracious response, a willingness to listen, or a faithful presence during someone’s difficult season might encourage them.

And we don’t have to make ourselves into examples for others to follow.

Our calling is to remain close to Christ, allowing His life to be reflected through ours.

As we conclude these weeks of reflecting on hope, I want to return to the question we began with:

We don’t know what tomorrow will bring. We may still be waiting for answers. And the circumstances surrounding us may remain uncertain.

But we can know the One who will meet us there.

And as we continue walking with Him, perhaps the hope He nurtures within us will become a source of encouragement to someone else.

That’s the contagious beauty of living as people of hope.

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As you move through this week, consider someone whose hope in Christ has encouraged you.

Perhaps this would be a good time to thank them.

And it wouldn’t hurt for all of us to offer a simple prayer for our own lives in a hurting world:

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If these reflections on hope have encouraged you, we’d welcome hearing from you. And if you’re walking through circumstances that make hope difficult, we’d be glad to pray for you.

May you have a blessed week.