My parents loved to make opening gifts more than just tearing the paper off the package. They often made it an adventure by sending me on a “treasure hunt”. So included in the adventure was a map, or a series of clues to find the mysterious package. With each new clue, my anticipation heightened. Where was it and what could it be? Never once did my parents tell me, “well go find your gift,” and leave me clueless. In the same way, how to find hope is not by luck. Yet that is how some people approach it.
Essentially, many people want to find hope by crossing their fingers, looking for a four-leaf clover, or wishing on a star. Some people may go on an internet “treasure hunt” trying to find articles that answer their questions. But, unfortunately, many of those “clues” have you looking inward, missing the real source of what they are needing.
How to find hope is not by luck, and it is not by looking inward. God has given us directions to help us find real, lasting hope.
What is hope?
According to Oxford Languages, hope is a positive feeling of expectation. It gives us a sense of well-being. The Bible says that without hope the heart grows sick (Proverbs 13:12). It gives us a mental picture of something good to look forward to. Without this vision, the Bible says people perish (Proverbs29:18). So then hope helps us keep on moving forward even when life is hard.
How to have hope in hard times
You will read a lot of ideas about how to have hope in hard times. Unfortunately, the majority suggests looking inward to find hope in yourself. Here are some of the partial truths of how to have hope in hard times:
- Make the most of self-reflection
- List your successes and strengths
- Develop your coping skills
- Have trust in yourself
- Express your feelings
- Set your own standards
While there is some truth in the above points, they all focus on ourselves. There is no mention of God in our self-reflection, successes, coping skills, feelings, or standards.
If the spirit of God is living in us, through a relationship with Jesus, then He gives us inner strength. But apart from that relationship, we can expect to eventually crumble in the face of hard times.
“That your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:5
“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
How to find hope in a hopeless situation
While we may think that a situation is hopeless, the truth is there is always hope. It just depends on what we are placing our hope in. This is where many well-meaning, but erroneous writers lead people astray. If we are placing our hope in the theories of mankind, and our own “inner strength”, we will be led down the wrong path.
The Bible says that there is a way that seems right to mankind, but the ends are the ways of death (Proverbs 14:12). While this verse is talking about spiritual matters, it can apply to prolonged despair which leads to the death of our emotions, and sometimes our bodies.
Hope comes from God. Even when we are facing death, a pretty “hopeless situation” from a human perspective, we have hope beyond this human life if we love God. There is so much more to come.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21
“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” Philippians 3:20-21
Bible verses about hope
God knew that we would experience rough spots in life and so he has given us many examples of hope in the Bible.
Bible verses about hope for the future
When life is hard, we often question the future. Personally, there were times when I felt like life was over for me. Then I tapped into God’s word and found my hope for the future.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 ESV
“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
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4
Bible verses about hope and strength
Since hope comes from God, He will give us strength to get through the rough places in life.
“But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 ESV
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea.” Psalm 46:1-2
Because God is a refuge, we can have hope. We don’t have to fear, regardless of what is going on around us as described in Psalm 46. Our survival instincts may kick in, but our souls can rest. Inner strength from God is a beautiful thing. It gives us something substantial to face everything life throws at us.
Bible verses about hope and faith
When life is hard, it is critical that our trust is in God, not ourselves, our therapist, our government, or any other human institution. Otherwise, our faith will crumble.
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17
Bible verses about hope in Christ
In many places, the Bible uses the word Lord and Jesus Christ interchangeably. So even in the Old Testament, they were writing about the Messiah who would come to save us.
” ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’ ” Lamentations 3:24
“Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,” Titus 2:13
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” 1 Peter 1:3
It is only through a relationship with Jesus that we can expect to have real hope. Anything short of that will eventually let us down and leave us in despair.
Final thoughts
Let’s face it. Without hope, what is the point of living? That is why so many people end their lives, seeing no future ahead. Furthermore, much of the advice available is short-sighted, lacking the most important ingredient.
God is our source of real, lasting hope. He not only gives us a reason to keep on keeping on, but He also is the source of our strength, and continued faith. All this begins with a relationship with Jesus Christ. Do you know Him personally? If not, you probably have questions. The people at Chat About Jesus have answers. You can call, text, or chat with them. Someone is waiting there to talk to you.
Find your hope in Jesus. He is where it all begins.
You might also like to read:
- How to find hope and purpose when life hurts
- Bible verses about hope in hard times – my guest post at Bible Verses For You
- Finding peace in terminal illness
- Graduation to the promise of heaven