Hopetimism
It can get pretty blustery on the path of our journey from the ashes.
We want to be positive.
We want to have hope that everything will be okay.
And yet.
The winds are blowing in our faces, pushing us back and down as we fight hard to stay upright and move forward.
We know that suffering brings wisdom and strength, yet we would give anything to make the storm pass - like right now, if you don't mind.
But, since we have no control over the wind or the storm, we press on and keep going.
Even though the fear is so terrifyingly palpable we can feel it in every part of our bodies and it is so dark we cannot see where we are going or know what is going to happen.
Despite the storms and , God's hopetimism keeps us moving forward.
We focus our eyes on the hope of God - who promises that He is with us and will never leave us, and no matter what we face, He is something we can hold onto to keep us upright.
God's truth gives us optimism that there is something beyond the trials and tribulations of this world. We choose to believe that Jesus has prepared a beautiful place for us and that we know that no matter what we face here, it is only temporary.
That doesn't take away the pain or the truth of what we feel when faced with tempestuous trials.
Hopetimism doesn't mean we ignore reality or discount our feelings with "I'm fine. It could be worse. It is what it is."
It also doesn't mean we give up and stare at the countdown clock for our entrance through those pearly gates.
It means we know that in this life, stuff will happen and that we must fight to get up from our pits and move forward into the life that Jesus fought for us to have.
Hopetimism is knowing there is a beautiful beginning beyond the end of the storms we face.
So we must go on. We must hold each other close and help each other up and out.
Our hope, optimism, and faith will strengthen and secure us so that no wind can knock us down.
We are protected, and we are never alone.
God is with us always and forever.
2 Corinthians 4: 16-18
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Acts 2: 26-28
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, you will not let your holy one see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.
Hebrews 6: 19-20
This hope [this confident assurance] we have as an anchor of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whatever pressure bears upon it]—a safe and steadfast hope that enters within the veil [of the heavenly temple, that most Holy Place in which the very presence of God dwells], where Jesus has entered [in advance] as a forerunner for us, having become a High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.