Hope is essential to how we live our lives and exemplify a life of faith as believers. Knowing the truth and confidently living our identity in Christ requires eternal perspective, knowing of the truth of God’s promises through the word, a hope built on faith, and married with action. Thus, it is this living hope that informs a life of faith that sets us apart. What are some areas in our lives we need to place our hope back in Christ and align ourselves with eternal perspective rather than short-sighted or futile hopes we sometimes admittedly succumb to?

~ Jaimie Park, Director of Strategy, Hub for Spiritual Life

Hope requires eternal perspective

• Hebrews 11:1

• We need vision. Without vision, hope is peril and we perish. In partnership with an eternal perspective, we hope in things unseen and the truth that aligns with the word, abiding in his promises above present circumstances. This hope produces faith.

Hope is based on God's promises

• Romans 8

• Our hope is not futile, but alive

• Nothing can separate us from the love of God

• As we are the children of God and co-heirs with Christ, we share in his sufferings so that we may also share in his glory.

• We are more than conquerors through Christ who gives us strength and grace

• We have been given the Holy Spirit and a living relationship with God. If God is for us, who can be against us?

Hope is built on faith

• Matthew 7: 24-27

• For in this hope we are saved

• Hope that is not seen is not hope at all

• Hope that is built on faith isn’t easily shaken or defeated

• Our identity in Christ is rooted in this faith of who God is and who we are as children of God and Co-heirs

Hope activates perseverance

• Romans 5:3-5

• Patience is the fruit of hope

• As we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience

Intercession is the act of petitioning God or praying on behalf of another person or group. The sinful nature of this world separates human beings from God. It has always been necessary, therefore, for righteous individuals to go before God to seek reconciliation between Him and His fallen creation. The sacrifices and prayers of Old Testament priests (Exodus 29:42, 30:7) were acts of intercession that point forward to the work of Christ. Christ is, of course, the greatest intercessor. He prayed on behalf of Peter (Luke 22:32) and His disciples (John 17). Then in the most selfless intercession of all, He petitioned God on behalf of those who crucified Him (Luke 23:24). In heaven He intercedes for His church (Hebrews 7:25). Finally, because of their unique relationship to God through Christ, saints are urged to intercede for all people (1 Timothy 2:1).

Source: The NKJV Study Bible, Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1997, 2007

Mental health is one of the most misunderstood topics in the world and in the church. Many people silently struggle with anxiety, depression, trauma, and other mental health challenges. Because of the stigma of struggling with mental health, they can feel like they’re alone or even somehow less spiritual because of their mental health struggles. But the truth is, God cares deeply about everyone’s mental health. God wants us to enjoy well-being with every part of our health, including our minds. Our thoughts and emotions matter to God, and God offers real hope and healing for those who are going through mental health challenges. Unfortunately, there are common lies that some people in faith communities believe about mental health. These lies can keep people who need help from seeking it. Let’s look at [one of the lies] we believe about mental health – and the truth God says in His Word.

“If I Struggle with Mental Health, That Means I don’t Have Enough Faith.”
This is one of the most damaging lies people can believe: that if you were just a “better Christian,” you wouldn’t feel anxious, depressed, or overwhelmed. This lie compounds the feelings of guilt and shame that are all too common when battling a mental health disorder. Many fall into the trap of seeing their mental health issues as spiritual failures instead of just part of being human in this fallen world.

But the Bible is full of faithful people who struggled with their emotions. King David wrote many Psalms while going through fear, despair, and sadness. In Psalm 42:11, he writes: Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why am I so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will praise him, my Savior and God. David didn't hide his pain; he brought it before God. He didn’t let his emotional turmoil drive him away from God, but toward him.

Even Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane, experienced intense emotional pain. Matthew 26:38 records: Then he said to them, ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me. Jesus knew suffering well. He cried out, sweated blood, and grieved deeply. But he never sinned. The mental suffering Jesus went through was real, but he lived a perfectly holy human life. Having faith doesn’t mean pretending everything is fine when it’s not. Instead, having faith involves trusting God while you’re struggling. You can cry out to God when you’re hurting, even when you don’t have all the answers. You can believe that God is still good when life overwhelms you.

In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, the Apostle Paul describes how God’s strong power redeems human weaknesses: But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. When you struggle with your mental health and still seek God, God will see your faith and give you the strength you need. The truth is that mental health struggles don’t disqualify you from faith. God sees your faith, and he loves you completely and unconditionally.

For additional resources, visit the following sites:

namimn.org

anthemofhope.org

1 Lord, do not rebuke me in Your wrath, And do not punish me in Your burning anger.

2 For Your arrows have sunk deep into me, And Your hand has pressed down on me.

3 There is no healthy part in my flesh because of Your indignation; There is no health in my bones because of my sin.

4 For my guilty deeds have gone over my head; Like a heavy burden they weigh too much for me.

5 My wounds grow foul and fester Because of my foolishness.

6 I am bent over and greatly bowed down; I go in mourning all day long.

7 For my sides are filled with burning, And there is no healthy part in my flesh.

8 I feel faint and badly crushed; I groan because of the agitation of my heart.

9 Lord, all my desire is before You; And my sighing is not hidden from You.

10 My heart throbs, my strength fails me; And the light of my eyes, even that has gone from me.

11 My loved ones and my friends stand aloof from my plague; And my kinsmen stand far away.

12 Those who seek my life lay snares for me; And those who seek to injure me have threatened destruction, And they plot deception all day long.

13 But I, like a person who is deaf, do not hear; And I am like a person who cannot speak, who does not open his mouth.

14 Yes, I am like a person who does not hear, And in whose mouth are no arguments.

15 For I wait for You, Lord; you will answer, Lord my God.

16 For I said, “May they not rejoice over me, Who, when my foot slips, would exalt themselves over me.”

17 For I am ready to fall, And my sorrow is continually before me.

18 For I admit my guilt; I am full of anxiety because of my sin.

19 But my enemies are vigorous and strong, And those who wrongfully hate me are many.

20 And those who repay evil for good, They become my enemies, because I follow what is good.

21 Do not abandon me, Lord; My God, do not be far from me!

22 Hurry to help me, Lord, my salvation!

This psalm vividly describes how lives can be affected by unresolved sin. David admitted his wrongdoing and unpacked the depth of his troubles since he had sinned.

Physically, David was troubled by malaise of lethargy (v. 8), and weakness (v.10). His immune system was compromised (v. 5) and he suffered backaches (v.7), heart palpitations (v.10), blurred vision (v.10) and constant pain (v. 17).

Psychologically, David felt alienated from God (v. 2), his friends (v.11) and his community (v. 11). He had phobias about his enemies (v. 12) and was almost catatonic with inner distress (v.v. 13 & 14) and depression (v. 6).

Spiritually, David was troubled by guilt (v. 4), doubt (v. 21), self- pity (v.19) and anxiety (v. 18).

David was not overreacting, nor was he a hopeless hypochondriac. He lived a long and prosperous life, was esteemed by thousands and wrote many poems and songs that speak of spiritual and emotional health. Whatever situation prompted it, this Psalm reveals the kinds of physical, spiritual and emotional troubles that can afflict us when we move outside of God's good ways .

Source: NIV quest study Bible, Zondervan, 1994, 2003, 2011