We live in an age that aches for hope. With all of the negative headlines, natural disasters, physical illnesses, and more, it seems only natural to want something better. And yet, the Bible offers us this encouragement:
“Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.” (Proverbs 23:18)
But what does it take to hold onto hope? Not the shallow kind of hope that feels more like a “wish”, but the deepest kind of hope—the kind that anchors us in a storm?
As I’ve wrestled with this question, I’ve landed on three main elements that are required for someone to have hope. They are: Vision, Proof, and Courage.
1. Vision for the Future
You cannot have hope without a vision. To hope is to fix your eyes on a future that is better than your past. Maybe for you, that vision is a healed relationship. Maybe it’s financial freedom. Maybe it’s finally finding a spouse. For me, sometimes the vision has been as trivial as a football game. (Yes, I confess—part of me still hopes that one day, somehow, the USC Trojans will be able to play defense.)
That might sound a bit silly, but the principle is the same. Hope begins when you imagine a better tomorrow. You have a vision for a brighter future.
2. Proof That It’s Possible
But vision alone is not enough. We need proof that our vision is actually plausible. We need something—anything—that tells us, “Yes, this thing can actually happen.”
Think about it: Why would you ever hope in something if you’d never seen a glimpse of it before? Even my Trojan football example requires some proof. (I’ve seen them have good defenses, and I therefore know that it’s possible!)
When it comes to the deeper hopes, maybe you haven’t yet seen any proof for yourself, but you can still borrow some proof from the lives of others. Maybe you have friends who climbed out of financial ruin. Maybe you know a couple who married later in life. Maybe you know believers who endured hardship, persecution, and loss—and yet saw God’s hand come through in the midst of it.
This is why reading the Bible is so important for the Christian walk. It is not just a history book; it is a record of God’s consistent faithfulness. The nation of Israel was enslaved in Egypt—and then, God delivered them faithfully. The walls of Jericho came down without a fight. The crucified Jesus was alive three days later—just as He said He would be.
The story of God is a story of proof, which gives us a reason for hope.
3. Courage to Believe
And yet, hope is not for the faint of heart.
Even when you’ve seen the proof, the naysayers will still line up. That was a long time ago, they say. Your situation is different. Don’t get your hopes up—you’ll only be disappointed!
Sound familiar? Sometimes those whispers don’t just come from others—they can come from within ourselves. And that is why hope requires courage.
It takes courage to believe that the vision God has given you is worth the risk. It takes courage to cling to that small shred of proof. It takes courage to risk the possibility of pain.
But here’s the thing: To hope is to borrow your joy from the future. It is to live so convinced of God’s promise of tomorrow that it starts shaping your heart today.
Yes, that’s vulnerable. Yes, it’s risky. But it’s also the path to life.
So let me ask you: What is your vision? If you really looked for it, where could you find your proof? And lastly, will you choose to be courageous today?
Our hope is not found in the score of a game, a bank account, or a wedding ring. Our Hope is found in a God who has promised to make all things new.
And our hope will not be cut off.
Blessings,
