Hope-filled v. Hopeful

Hopeful thinking is generally equated with wishful thinking.  It is seen as an state of mind based on desire rather than reality.  Hopeful thinking is little more than grasping at the straws of what we wish we could have or do that a check with the facts or likelihood of a change in those facts proves to be founded more on fantasy than reality.

When someone expresses a desired outcome that we don't think is possible or likely, we might respond, "Well, that's hopeful thinking."  There is little to no encouragement in our words.  We mean to convey that their hopeful or wishful thinking is off base and not likely to be realized.

Some confuse hopeful thinking with biblical "hope-filled" thinking.  The difference, however is real and profound.  Hope-filled thinking is not based on personal wishes or desires, it is based on the promises of God.  It's coming reality is as real as God himself and his ability to make it so.

An example that will resonate with many of us is our memories of being hope-filled when Grandma made a promise.  If my Grandma said she was going to do something, "it was all over but the shouting."  She would "move heaven and earth" to make it so.  I didn't have to wonder if it were going to happen, I only had to wait until it happened or appeared.  When Grandma said so, it was so in my experience.  My hope-filled response to her promises was based on my belief in who and what she was.

Similarly as with my Grandma, Paul said of hope in God, "But if we hope for what we do not have yet have, we wait for it patiently" (Rom 8:25).  And, "Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold" (2 Cor 3:12).  We can "hold unswervingly to the hope we possess, for he who promised is faithful" (Heb 10:23).

As faithful to her word as a grandma might be, she cannot really insure her promises, try as she  might.  As much as we might trust in her and hold out hope in what she promises, they are not absolute.  But with God, "not one of all the good promises the Lord God gave you has failed.  Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed" (Josh 23:14).

As children of God, regardless of how things may seem to be going at the moment, the victory in Christ is secure, "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ.  And so through him the 'Amen' is spoken by us to the glory of God" (2 Cor 1:20).  Jus' Say'n.