Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭23‬

Hope is easy when what we are hoping for is out of our hands. Some will say, ‘I hope my team wins’, or ‘I hope this relationship works out’, or ‘I hope it doesn’t rain this weekend’.

Those are valid hopes but in reality those hopes are built on things that are either completely or partially out of our control.

Hope that is secure is built on trust and trust is a process of growing. It doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Is like a muscle that is often developed through hardship and, in some cases, uncertainty.

Trust is easier when we understand the make-up of the person or thing that we want to trust in. We can trust more easily when we know the intent of the person we are putting out trust in. For example, we can trust people, even in failure, if we are completely convinced of their intentions.

Trust is easier when we can trust in the ability of the person being trusted.

Lastly, the level of trust one has is dependent on the integrity of the person or thing being trusted. A broken and cracked chair doesn’t offer the same level of trust as a new chair.

The writer of Hebrews talks about the hope we have because we can trust God. When we believe his intentions are graceful and merciful; when we know in our hearts he has the ability to protect and guide us, when we understand his working because of our close walk with him, when we act based on his integrity, then hope is easy (er) during the confusing and discouraging times of life.

We live in hopeless times. We live in times when trust in people, government and media can attack our security and peace. Put your hope in the promises of God, not the fickle plans of mankind.