Hope

*HOPE/*HOPEFUL (+*8) - see EXPECT, DESIRE, OPTIMISTIC, CONFIDENT, FAITH, PRAYER, LOVE, JOURNEY, SPIRIT, GROW, COMPLETE

I asked for strength that I might achieve;

I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.

I asked for health that I might do greater things;

I was given infirmity that I might do better things.

I asked for riches that I might be happy;

I was given poverty that I might be wise.

I asked for power that I might have the praise of men;

I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life;

I was given life that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing that I had asked for,

but everything that I had hoped for. (Unknown Confederate Soldier)

The resurrection is proof of God’s love and power. The ultimate biblical paradigm is one of hope, not despair. In the midst of sin and evil, we can rejoice that God has overcome evil and even death, and that through Christ, we too shall overcome them. (C S Lewis)

Is the difference between faith and hope like now versus future or acceptance versus desire? (Randy)

With faith one believes that the future is entirely in the hands of some superior power or being. Hope positively encourages the hopeful to be prepared to take control and sieze an opportunity that may come along. With faith, however, there is nothing a believer can or should do but to submit to the will of a higher power. In this manner, faith and hope are essentially opposed.

(http://www.buzzle.com/boards.asp?board=238&message=70626)

Question: Considering all the problems in the world today, would you say civilization is declining? Answer: No. I think civilization is advancing, but the proliferation of information media has made us all much more acutely aware of every complaint, predicament and tragedy around the globe than at any other time in history. These sort of calmities have been occurring throughout the experience of humankind. (Marilyn Vos Savant, Parade, 3/16/97)

Jesus's birth (Christmas) is not only a weapon against darkness, it is a symbol of life refusing to give up in the face of despair. Hope is like a flickering candle's flame fighting the wind - and winning. Even if your own candle is flickering, there's a sense that there must be an eternal flame from which we can draw strength. (PS, 11/30/96)

Expectation of something desired. Confidence in a future event. (Dict)

In scriptures we might have hope. (Rom 15:4)

Transcend reality and gain a more comprehensive perspective on time and place, a view from eternity and infinity. See it as God sees it. This insight not only enables us to deal more confidently with the present, but empowers us to see into the future with HOPE. Goodness will suffer from evil in the world over and over again, but it is guaranteed that victory will rise triumphantly from what a limited vision sees as defeat. (Guide, p95)