We had a fabulous lesson on hope today given by Jen Walsh. She pointed out that at this time of year sometimes we can feel overwhelmed and over burdened.
Hope is a a big part of our religion. The 13th Article of Faith states; "We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul-We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
Hope at times, seems to come with a hint of uncertainty or doubt attached to it. We hope for a lot of things that we have little or no control over as in, "I hope my children are good today", portraying hope as a weak idea.
But, if we look at the true definition of hope, we can remember how powerful it can be. A basic definition of hope is not a wish but an expectation of things to come. In gospel language, hope is sure, unwavering and active. It embodies happy feelings, anticipation of good things, the best of the gospel and a zest for life. Ultimate hope centers in the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We trust in the promises our Heavenly Father has made to us. Hope comes from the knowledge that we are quite literally children of God with a heavenly parent that loves us so much he sent his son to save us.
Romans 5:3-5 "We glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience and experience hope; and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."
Brother Larry Hiller in a June 2009 publication said, "When we endure tribulation with faith and patience, what we experience is the Savior's awareness of us and His love for us. We experience them through the ministrations of the Holy Ghost, the Comforter." He goes on to say, I experience the Saviors tender mercies. My trials may continue, but my burdens are bearable, and giving me hope. I then have strength to endure. Hope is anything but wishful. It is expectation based on experience."
Moroni 10:20-21 Wherefore, there must be faith, and if there must be faith there must also be hope; and if there must be hope there must also be charity. And except ye have charity ye can in nowise be saved in the kingdom of God; neither can ye be saved in the kingdom of God if ye have not faith; neither can ye if ye have no hope.
In Psalms 31:24 David says, "Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord."
As much as we are willing to give to the Lord he returns to us. The demands placed on us can seem overwhelming and chaotic but, hope is our beacon. We assume we will be living with Heavenly Father, but it takes a lot of work. We don't just hope it will happen. We build it.
How do we cultivate hope? Satan tries to push us to despair. Feeling overwhelmed is a way to push us there.
When you are in the midst of a dark trial, how are you able to hang on to hope?
One sister replied, that remembering where our hope is coming from. Hope in the savior and the plan of salvation.
Another sister shared that at times she's battled depression. Depression by definition is "the absence of hope." We've been blessed with all this knowledge. We are sad at the moment but, we know we will be together again because of our Savior.
Steven Snows of the Seventy said, "We should never let hope be displaced by despair. In Corinthians 9:10, the Apostle Paul wrote that we should "plow in hope." The exercise of hope enriches our lives and helps us look forward to the future. Whether we are plowing fields to plant or plowing through life, it is imperative we, as Latter-Day Saints, have hope."
One sister pointed out that forgiveness is giving up the hope that we can change the past. When we think of what forgiveness is and having a more eternal goal, it is having hope.
Proverbs 13:12 tells us that "hope deferred maketh the heart sick."
Focus on daily confirmation that God lives. Small things that matter to you. Hope can be an empowering concept. We are all special and needed in building the kingdom of God. Watch and pray continually. Hope matters. It means we put trust in the Lord.
President Hunter said: "It is incumbent upon us to rejoice a little more and despair a little less, to give thanks for what we have and for the magnitude of God's blessings to us.."
Hope is a conscience decision. It requires an active participation.
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