Day 6: True hope

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)

“I will walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)

True Christian optimism is not unrealistic. It is not mere wishful thinking. Optimism must be based firmly on the statements and promises of Scripture. For example, in Romans 8:28, we are told, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” If God is working all things together for our good, what room is left for anything but optimism?

However, we first need to make sure that we are meeting the conditions. Do we truly love God? Are we seeking to fulfill His purpose for our lives? If so, then God is working all things—every event, every situation—together for our good. This leaves only one attitude of mind: optimism. In light of this, for a Christian to be a pessimist is, in fact, a denial of his faith.

Again we see that faith is the only solid basis for hope. If we don’t believe God’s promise, then our hope has no solid basis. Hopes that are based on true faith within the heart will not be disappointed. However, without this basis, there is no assurance that our hopes will be fulfilled. It is lacking any basis of genuine faith within the heart, and therefore has no scriptural validity. More likely than not, it is doomed to disappointment. Until we have learned to distinguish between these two forms of hope, we are always in danger of entertaining hopes that will never be fulfilled.