How to Foster Hope When Circumstances Disappoint

Do you find it hard to foster hope when circumstances disappoint? 

I struggle with this especially with repeated disappointments which is interesting since my "life Word" if there is such a thing, is HOPE.  Hmm, maybe that's why I get tested in this so often.  ;-)  {I actually wrote about how to avoid repeated spiritual tests in my post Tests and Make-up Exams which you can read  HERE. }

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, 

but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

Proverbs 13:12

THE ROLE SUFFERING PLAYS IN FOSTERING HOPE

I recently read a very familiar verse from Romans, one that I have read many times, but this time, the Lord was speaking to me about hope...

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, 

knowing that suffering produces endurance, 

and endurance produces character, 

and character produces hope, 

and hope does not put us to shame, 

because God's love has been poured into our hearts 

through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Romans 5:3-5

Do you see that??  In order to foster hope, we need to go through suffering and endure which will strengthen our character at which time hope is born!

The opposite of hope is doubt.  I have done a great job at fostering doubt instead of hope!  I have allowed past disappointments to dictate how I view any future similar situations.  For me, it can be something as insignificant as cancelled plans.  My personality craves activity and being around people I love and care about.  So, of course, when those plans get cancelled, I AM disappointed.

But with my poor attitude about those disappointments, I am not allowing them to build character in me.

I realize this is such a trivial example of disappointment compared to a person who learns that the cancer treatment failed and only has two months to live; or the person who has been told there is no definitive treatment for the physical pain they are suffering with; or the person who was about to get out of a dead end job into their dream job only to find out the offer fell through.

In the above circumstances, the person will have no choice, but to endure.  However, how we do so will determine whether character will be built in us or bitterness.  If we endure in patience, it will build our character and that character will produce hope.

Why does suffering ultimately produce hope?  Because it is an opportunity for God to show Himself big in that situation by giving you courage, providing comfort and strengthening your faith.  Once you recognize the Lord's help in your suffering, you will have hope for the next time you find yourself in disappointing circumstances.

HOPE - IT'S CLOSER THAN YOU THINK!

The Apostle Paul is known for his joy.  Most of his epistles seem to showcase the joy of the Lord.  I've never sensed any fear in Paul.  I need to hang out with him. Maybe he'll rub off!  ;-)

In the following verses, we see all the suffering that Paul endured...

From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;  in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—

2 Corinthians 11:24b-27

Now that is suffering!

The Apostle Paul was also sent on a mission by God to preach to the Gentiles, but many times he found himself imprisoned.  Talk about disappointing!

But he later tells the Philippians...

for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:11-13

Where did Paul place His hope in those circumstances?  In Christ Jesus!   He believed that God's strength would be manifested IN his weakness, and God's will would STILL be accomplished.

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

                        Our hope resides inside of us through the Holy Spirit.                       We do not need to look to external circumstances to give us hope.

Ligonier Ministries says the following about the role of the Holy Spirit concerning hope in a Believer's life.

"In Scripture, hope is not a reference to uncertainty or a lack of confidence in what the future will bring; rather, hope is another word for confident anticipation, and it has both objective and subjective aspects. Objectively, we have a hope that exists outside ourselves — Christ will surely return to reign visibly over all (1 Cor. 15:12–58). This fact is even more incontrovertible than the fact that the earth revolves around the sun. Subjectively, hope is the inward confidence we have that we will participate in the benefits of the objective, future reality (Rom. 8:25). The Holy Spirit’s work involves giving us this subjective hope (v. 16), and Paul prays for this in Ephesians 1:18–20." 

How to Foster Hope When Circumstances Disappoint

So how do we practically foster hope when circumstances disappoint?  

Whether disappointing circumstances are trivial or very serious, in order to allow suffering to change our character before producing hope, we must have a mindset shift.  As hard as it might be to hope, ESPECIALLY in extreme suffering, we must take our cue from the Apostle Paul and fully depend upon the One who NEVER disappoints!  

Therefore, any circumstance that touches us is not meant to disappoint, but to show God's faith, strength, love, compassion and presence in that circumstance.

For more posts related to hope please check out the following by clicking on the titles:

Hope Floats

Do you struggle with expectations?

The Assurance of Things Unseen

Three Reasons to Praise God When You Don't Feel Like It

How to Trust God in Times of Uncertainty

3 Biblical Encouragements for Remaining Hopeful in Hardship

Finding Contentment When Life is Hard

         Seek the Lord!  He WILL foster hope when circumstances disappoint.              Your hope will not be put to shame.

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