HOPE
- Ryan Veness
- Apr 14, 2020
- 8 min read
Did you know that the word Hope is mentioned 129 times in the Bible and in a total of 121 verses.
Today’s prayer:
Ephesians 6:20
“And also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”
Ephesians 6:19-20
During today’s conversation I’d like to discuss together and answer a few questions revolving around the word and definition of hope
what is hope?
Why is hope so important
Is all hope a guarantee?
Who is our hope?
I would like to tell you a little bit about myself before we dive into theses questions. I work at our Adventist Health hospital in the outpatient Live Well Program as a health, wellness, and fitness coach.
I’d like to read to you Our hospitals mission and vision.
Compelled by our mission to live God’s love by inspiring health, wholeness and hope, we will transform the health experience of our communities by improving physical, mental and spiritual health; enhancing interactions; and making care more accessible and affordable.
We are a 16 week long medically based lifestyle medicine program we we have a team that focuses on four very specific components. Jan Woesner, our nurse practitioner, sits down with each client to discuss their health history and how their health has impacted their quality of life. During this conversation they determine specific goals that are simple, measurable, achievable, and are time specific that could help lead them towards an improved quality of life. Many of our clients fall into a few medical criteria. Some are looking to lose weight and because if their weight they may be struggling with Diabetes. Others have struggled with hypertension or high cholesterol, and a common causation can be poor lifestyle choices such as poor nutrition, lack of exercise, a poor work life balance resulting in a significant level of stress, and lastly those that may be struggling with pain. Due to these medically significant diagnosis we have three other areas within our program. We have a registered Dietitian to discuss the benefits of a Whole Foods planet based diet and how it can make the world of difference in a plethora of medical issues from cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cholesterol etc. we have a team of behavioral health experts with our very own Minerva Stirling leading the way through counseling techniques that encourage people to take action in improving self worth, anxiety, and depression. Lastly is my area of expertise which revolves around the benefits of movement and how it too can improve an individuals quality of life. It may include working on Strength which Bob Merritt discussed here a few weeks ago, as well as balance, flexibility, stamina etc and how by empowering people to move on a regular basis can actually change their life not only medically, but also physically, and emotionally.
The reason why I wanted to tell you about what all our program entails is because I firmly believe that the reason why clients have chosen to join our program is because they hope that the education, tools, support and the added accountability spread out over the course of 16 weeks can make a difference in their life. I want to emphasize on word again they have hope.
There is one problem with this statement. The word hope generally is defined as....
Websters 1828 dictionary:
HOPE, n. [L. cupio.]
1. A desire of some good, accompanied with at least a slight expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable. Hope differs from wish and desire in this, that it implies some expectation of obtaining the good desired, or the possibility of possessing it. Hope therefore always gives pleasure or joy; whereas wish and desire may produce or be accompanied with pain and anxiety.
Key words stand out to me: hope, wish, possibility, some expectations, desire, slight expectation. That sounds like a bit of doubt to me. What this shows me is that every type of earthly hope that we can image there is an element of uncertainty.
Unfortunately many of us hold this type of hope in our hands. All too often we have tried weight loss techniques to lose Weight and maybe control our diabetes. Maybe we have been in to a pain management specialist and have not received relief from our pain. Or maybe we have joined a gym to try and improve our fitness but due to life always seeming to get in they way they have not been successful in improving our health. So when our clients come walking in the door there is a small glimmer of hope that they can change. We measure this hope on a scale that we call their readiness to change on a scale of 1-10. The larger their number is greater their hope is. This means that the greater their chances are for success to make a permanent enough of a change to improve their overall health.
How many of you have heard of what a blue zone is? The term refers to geographic areas in which people have low rates of chronic disease and live longer than anywhere else. They have gone around the world interviewing these centenarians and they have come up with a fair number criteria that each region has in common.
A Whole Foods plant based diet rich in veggies, legumes, seeds and grains
The ability to build a higher level of movement into their daily lives. Examples are gardening, walking to and from work, a job such as farming and management of livestock, and other daily chores. There have been significant studies showing the benefit of moderate to difficult exercise lowering or chances of premature death by up to 39%.
Getting adequate sleep
Having a belief in a higher power
Having a plan for your life resulting in improved psychological well-being
Strong family and friend ties resulting in a quality social network. In japan this is known as a Moai
Being adequately hydrated by drinking plenty of water
Being outside and getting plenty of sunshine. At least 15 min of sun. But make sure to be careful and don’t overdo it.
Abstain from smoking and drinking. And if you do drink make sure it is in moderation or in a quality and safe social setting that is positive and can improve relationships through conversation and quality interactions.
We have essentially designed a program that revolves around the idea of how can we provide the tools for our clients to live life to the fullest. I love the phrase live younger longer. The blue zones has provided us with a wonderful map that helps give us an 80% boost in helping us live to 100. Where as the other 20% is said to impact us through our genetics. My ultimate dream job is to be in a position where we can make out city of Ukiah a blue zone. So the word hope comes up time and time again. “I hope to make an impact, I hope that people will be able to take the tools and recommendations for a better life and improve their own lives... I hope I hope I hope. There is no guarantee but a longing for a possibility.
Now as I was reading through the dictionaries definitions of hope the second one really stood out to me
2. Confidence in a future event; the highest degree of well founded expectation of good; as a hope founded on God”s gracious promises; a scriptural sense.
One observation that I noticed is that whenever we use the word hope in a sentence that is referring to things of this world such as “I hope that I will be able to go for a hike this afternoon” indicates that there is no guarantee but an expressed interest in wanting to go for a hike. This would place Hope into then a possibility category. When it comes to Biblical hope this conversation is completely different. This hope refers to a promise that Jesus will return.
Turn with me to Isiah 40:31
31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Psalms 147:11
11 the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.
Psalm 33:22
“Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.”
Hope in this verse is the Hebrew word, “yachal” meaning “trust.”
Psalm 31:24
“Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.
Psalms 146:5
“Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God
Psalm 130:7
““O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption.”
Again this is the same Hebrew word, “trust.”
Psalm 39:7
“And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.”
Here we see a slightly different Hebrew word “towcheleth“ but with the same root but meaning “expectation.” These and many, many more verses illustrate the Psalmist’s reliance upon the trustworthiness of the Lord. The Lord CAN be trusted. He WILL keep His promises.
Now, in the New Testament we see the word “Hope” in several verses. This word “Hope” is an absolute, a guarantee without a doubt. It is the Greek word “elpis” meaning “to expect or anticipate with pleasure.”
Romans 5:2
“By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
We rejoice in the glory of God, not with uncertainty but with joyful anticipation — guaranteed.
Colossians 1:5
“For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;“
The Hope of Heaven is not a maybe — but an absolute.
Titus 1:2
“In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;”
Eternal life — guaranteed and promised by the God.
Titus 2:13
“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;”
Every believer in Jesus Christ may look with confidence to the glorious appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ. No doubt!
Titus 3:7
“That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
Id like to now finish with one more verse and finish with a story.
Jeremiah 29:11
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a future.
I feel that the only job for the devil is to try and force people to lose hope. Our bible study this year has been going through the book of Genesis and we have just finished the story of Joseph. Joseph is a direct descendant of Abraham who was his great grand father and as we all know was “the father of many nations” Jesus was a direct descendant from Joseph’s brother Judah’s lineage. Judah was the brother who schemes up selling Joseph to the Ishmaelite’s (so I guess he was a nice guy). But let’s break down the story into a few sentences. Because of Joseph’s brothers hatred towards him he was sold into slavery. His life was not easy there forward. He worked as a servant to the royal family, then all of a sudden he was falsely accused and thrown into prison. This is when I truly believe that the exact character of Joseph was revealed. Joseph never lost HOPE. He put 100% trust and faith in Christ to bring him out of the deep dark dungeon. A day eventually came to where Joseph was given the opportunity to truly show how amazing God is. God gave Joseph the exact meaning and interpretation of Pharaohs dream and as a gift of gratitude Pharaoh put Joseph as his right hand ruler over all the land.
When we put our HOPE if Jesus Christ and surrender all of our fears to HIM, He will guide us, give us unfailing LOVE, and give us HOPE and a Future.
Here is a beautiful Song written by Hillsong United. I Hope that you find peace during this time of uncertainty.
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