Hope Trumps Fear

Just as darkness must give way to light, fear must give way when we choose to allow hope into our heart.

Fear of disappointment is the enemy of hope. How many times have you wanted to be excited about a potential new job or the outcome of a relationship, but didn’t want to set yourself up for disappointment? A great example of this belief is found in the story of the prodigal son.

The prodigal son decided to leave his father’s household and venture out into the world so he could make his own decisions about his own life. The folks he surrounded himself with all left when his funds ran out. Then a famine came and the son ended up in terrible circumstances. He eventually decided to go back home and beg his father for mercy, hoping he'd be allowed to become one of the servants. Not wanting to be disappointed, the prodigal son had absolutely no hope in forgiveness and grace. Fear lied to the son about the father’s heart.

In truth, the father was waiting and watching for his son to come home. Rather than being angry and holding a grudge, the father felt loving compassion and ran to his son, kissing and hugging him. Yes, there were barriers they needed to address, but the father wanted his son to hope into a full restoration of the relationship rather than settling for something less. Opening up to receive his father’s genuine loving embrace changed the son’s heart. It gave him the courage to see and confess his own brokenness as well as hope into personal and relational change.

Living the abundant life encompasses cultivating an excitement and passion to see and connect with God in our everyday life. Fear of disappointment limits our ability to receive all that God wants to bring into our life. It’s impossible to be passionate without hope. Unfortunately, mankind has learned how to beat hope down to a manageable size. We analyze the practicality of our dreams based on reasonableness and risk. Such a life strategy is based on managing fear rather than anchoring to the author of hope.

In 2 Timothy 1:7 we’re told not to live a life out of timidity and fear. Hoping into God’s heart gives us the strength and courage to triumph over fear. Ask God to deposit His hope into your heart. It will change your view about everything.

• Hope that God really does love you all the time, no matter how you feel about yourself and your actions.
• Hope that your heart can be transformed and your life changed.
• Hope that you can trust in God and others rather than self-protect out of fear.
• Hope that God has a wonderful, amazing plan for your life!

Author From the Other Side of the Couch: A Biblical Counselor's Guide to Relational Living

Photo courtesy of medicboyz.blogspot.com

Do You Want to be Healed?

Jesus was at the pool of Bethesda one day and started up a conversation with a man who talked about being crippled for 38 years. He explained to Jesus that every so often, an angel would stir the pool and the first person to get into the water was healed. Jesus asked the man a very interesting question. “Do you want to be healed?” (John 5:6 NIV)

Now why would Jesus ask that question? Obviously the man wanted to be healed, he had just told Jesus all about his physical ailments and how he spent his entire day waiting at the pool. It seems like a very illogical question on its surface, but there were lots of reasons why it was critical Jesus ask that question of that man -- and why God asks it of each one of us.

Sir, the invalid replied, I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me. (John 5:7 NIV)

The man’s response shows hope in his healing had dwindled down to almost nothing. He had no one who cared enough to be by his side to help him. We can often feel like the victim of a loveless world and get caught up in hating our weaknesses. At those times we need Jesus to ask this obvious question designed to challenge our ingrained monologue of hopelessness. 

This question shed light on the invalid’s despairing heart and gave him the opportunity to anchor to truth. Human beings equate love with actions. If someone loves me, then they will do things for me that feel loving. Instead, hope for healing and happiness must come out of our understanding of God’s heart for our full transformation. Changes in circumstances are temporary. Hope in God’s heart for us is always assured. Holding tight to this truth will change us for eternity. 

Is your hope in something or someone fading? Rather than narrowing your vision and demanding change happen in a specific way, I encourage you to ask God to expand your view. Lifting your eyes to heaven and genuinely asking to see through God's eyes allows us to not only gain a different perspective--but also draws us closer to His heart. Hope is found in a person. Healing comes by genuinely asking God if He loves you, separate and apart from your circumstances.

Excerpt From the Other Side of the Couch: A Biblical Counselor's Guide to Relational Living

Photo by Judy Lair in Jerusalem 2011