Biblical Hope
When we think of hope there is often the idea of “desired outcome (akin to ‘wishful thinking’)” as mentioned previously (cf. 3 John 14). “I hope things get better or perhaps, “I hope you enjoy the vacation!” These are both common phrases that one would expect to hear in a modern context of the word hope. However, when the Bible approaches hope, it does it with a few aspects in mind that often are expressed in other English words like, “wait, trust, expectation and confidence." (Helping Your Family through PTSD, Greg E. Gifford and forwarded by John Babler, 2017, Resource Publications, page 38).
Do you have a desired outcome, separate from wishful thinking? If so what is this rooted in or based upon? Is it from a certain foundation from Scriptural truth into a living Hope?
So? What does it mean to wait on, trust in, hope for, expectantly seek the Lord in our struggles with PTSD? In Job 13:15 Job says that even though He were to be slayed by the LORD, he will still hope in Him. Can we say that today in our grief, trauma, anxiety, and PTSD? Where has the Lord already walked you through? What are you still seeking to find hope in?
Trauma is defined as: a direct personal experience of an event that involves actual or threatened death or serious injury, or other threat to one’s physical integrity; or witnessing an event that involves death, injury, or a threat to the physical integrity of another person; or learning about unexpected or violent death, serious harm, or threat of death or injury experienced by a family member or other close associate (Criterion A1). The person’s response to the event must involve intense fear, helplessness, or horror (or in children, the response must involve disorganized or agitated behavior)…(Sage Publications, “What is Trauma?”
In simpler terms, trauma can be defined as “a deeply disturbing or distressing experience.” It is very distressing which a person intimately experiences. There is a serious amount of pain associated with it and it is not limited to one event, but can be a history of events.
So? What is Biblical Hope and how can we apply it?
Truth must always be the guide in our life.
When we allow the truth to be our guide, and not our feelings and emotions - we will be moving in the direction God wants us to go and move. We will move towards being more like Christ (2 Corinthians 5:7). Never, let me repeat NEVER EVER allow your feelings direct your life. Truth must be our ultimate guide, it must interpret our feelings, and we must submit to its over-arching principle in our life which is to bring us closer to Jesus, and into healing.
DON’T LET YOUR FEELINGS STEER YOUR LIFE, (Jesus take the wheel).
Walk by faith and not by sight, but ask the Lord to show you truth, and then walk in it.
2. The Word of God is truth, but it is also the measure of what truth is.
Jesus said “He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life…” (see John 14:6). We also know the truth will set us free (John 8:32). Truth is freeing, invigorating, life sustaining. How amazing is this to know that we can be set free from those thoughts which take us captive (2 Corinthians 10:5), because we are supposed to take them captive.
Once we recognize who Jesus is, we can have a living hope (Jesus) and be set free. Free? Free from bondage, addictions, lust? Jesus came to give us life and more abundantly than anything we have ever experienced. Are you free? Are you walking in Biblical Hope which is not only rooted in the truth, but must be, has to be - our measure of the truth. When we look at other things, we have to line them up to the truth contained in the Word of God and see how they measure up. If they bring us away from His truth, then they must be rejected.
Ours is a living hope found in Jesus. He may not heal us, He may use the pain and circumstances to bring joy and resolve to our lives. I know He is still moving in my life, He is still teaching me, guiding me, and telling me that His grace is more than sufficient, and His strength is made perfect in my weakness since I must lean on Him (see Proverbs 3:5-6; 2 Corinthians 12:8-10).
Do you walk in this hope? You can. He is not hiding Himself, He wants you to know Him.
More on this later. Trust in Him, and know He wants to hold you and bring you strength as you walk through the darkest times.
