January 2013, A Letter from June on ‘HOPE’

January 2013, A Letter from June on ‘Hope’

Since “confession is good for the soul,” I have a confession. In 1986 I named our ministry Hope For The Heart. Yet for years, if you’d asked me, “June, what exactly is hope?” I couldn’t have told you. Clearly, I had an incomplete understanding of hope.

Oh, I knew the definition of hope. . . . I had taught on hope. . . . I knew that we all need hope. But back then, “hope” was still an intangible, elusive concept to me—cloud-like, ethereal. I found it difficult to get a handle on hope.

It was not until I surveyed every single Scripture verse having to do with “hope” (preparing to teach for nine hours on the topic) that I reread Hebrews 6:19, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” And that’s when it hit me . . . ANCHOR! Hope is an anchor!

The hope mentioned so extensively in the Bible has nothing to do with crossing our fingers and wishing for the best. Authentic, biblical hope is a powerful undergirding force—an anchor—able to sustain us through the fiercest of storms. Yet that’s not how hope is understood in today’s culture. Here’s a comparison of two kinds of hope.

Cultural Hope vs. Christian Hope

Cultural hope is an optimistic desire that something will be fulfilled. This kind of hope is unsteady and uncertain because it’s based on changeable people and changeable circumstances. People often say, “I hope I’ll get the job. . . . I hope she gets an ‘A.’ . . . I hope he wins the election.” These are desires—just desires, not guarantees. And cultural hope can lead to painful disappointment. Why? Because we can be sincere . . . but sincerely wrong!

Christian hope, however, is a guaranteed assurance that something will be fulfilled. This hope is not subject to change because it is anchored in our unchangeable God and the unchangeable Word of God. That’s why the writer of Hebrews said, “Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1). When Paul said that Christians (authentic Christians) have the “hope of eternal life” (Titus 1:2; 3:7), he meant we have the guaranteed assurance, the full confidence, the certainty of eternal life.

Hope and Faith: What’s the Difference?

I knew this Scripture well: “. . . faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13). But I had never asked myself the question: “What is the difference between faith and hope?” Actually, I had taught on both—separately. I could quote Scriptures on both, but that didn’t answer my own question. And I wasn’t alone. When I asked numerous theologians and counselors, they couldn’t immediately explain the difference either.

Finally, I deduced that hope is based on an assured promise, whereas faith is acting on that promise. Another way to say it is: Faith is hope put into action. For example, in our spiritual lives:

• Our hope is based on God’s promise. God the Father promised that God the Son would be the Savior of the world, thus our hope is Jesus.By faith we receive Jesus into our hearts, giving Him control of our lives—therefore, faith is the means by which we actually receive our hope.

• Our hope in Jesus prompts us to step out in faith, taking God at His Word. (Peter’s hope in Jesus prompted him to step out of the boat in faith—and walk on water!)Our faith is motivated by our hope. And our faith is the means by which we benefit from our hope.

• Our hope for eternal life is Jesus, but if we refuse to have hope in Him, we will die and spend eternity separated from Him.Placing our faith in Jesus is the means by which we take hold of our hope in Him and receive all the benefits of having Jesus, including living an anchored life and spending eternity with Him.

Having the assurance of hope is necessary before you can act in faith. Colossians 1:5 refers to “. . . faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel.”

Hope for Our Future

As believers, our hope is based on the Bible, God’s unchanging Word. When we feel uncertain about life—adrift on an unclear course—the Lord wants us to rely on His promises and to persevere based on His provision. He will not fail us, even when we do not understand the “whys” of what happens in our lives. His hope provides all the certainty we will ever need to live an anchored life. And when we’ve given Christ control of our lives, then . . .

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure” (Hebrews 6:19).

For 26 years I have had the privilege of offering biblical hope and practical help to those whose hope and faith have come untethered from the Anchor, providing me with the greatest sense of fulfillment in my life. And so as we begin this New Year, will you pray about partnering with me in this work by giving monthly gifts throughout 2013?

By making this monthly pledge, you will be included in a select group of friends who have chosen to consistently offer HOPE to others each month. You will become a HOPE Partner, offering hope and help to anyone who needs it. I will also send you a special hand-inscribed copy of the latest gift version of my book Seeing Yourself Through God’s Eyes.

In closing, if you haven’t seen Hope For The Heart’s 2012 Year in Review, I encourage you to browse through it today at www.HopeForTheHeart.org/2012review. It highlights what God has done in every area of this ministry and will help explain my endless enthusiasm for the year ahead.

I never lose sight of the fact that, if it weren’t for friends like you, there would be no Hope For The Heart as we know it. And so, as we begin 2013, please accept my deepest gratitude for your encouragement, faithful support, and prayers. What an honor to serve God alongside you!

Every blessing for the New Year,

June Hunt

“‘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’” (Jeremiah 29:11).

If you’re on Facebook, I invite you to connect with me at www.Facebook.com/June.Hunt.Hope. And if you’re not, take it from me: You’re never too old to start! See you there!