Abound in Hope
By Sara Meyers, Communications Specialist
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that by the power of the Holy Spirit, you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13
Every day for the past few months, I will open my daily news articles, check social media, even watch a few news clips of world events and lately, it all just feels like nonstop darkness. Dark in the sense that over and over again I finish scrolling or reading articles and I’m left with an overwhelming feeling of burden. Wars, death, and grief worldwide can also lead me to at times feel desensitized to the gruesomeness of it all. This is not to mention the local challenges we observe consistently in children involved with the foster care system, human trafficking, and even the water crisis in Africa.
In times like these, how should we respond? How are we supposed to keep stepping one foot in front of the other? There is a tension between wanting to dive in too deep, combing through every detail of events, or just ignoring all of it.
Through the pains of this world, I’ve recently been moved to ask “how are we supposed to have hope through it all?”
If you research the basic definition of hope, it literally means “a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.” Expectation. Desire. This is where we can easily struggle with the idea of hope because it feels so intangible.
What does it look like to live with hope in the midst of chaotic times?
Chan Hellman, PhD, a professor of psychology and founding director of the Hope Research Center at the University of Oklahoma describes hope in this way: “We often use the word ‘hope’ in place of wishing, like you hope it rains today or you hope someone’s well, but wishing is passive toward a goal, and hope is taking action toward it.”
I can get behind this understanding of ‘hope!’
I’m reminded of the Apostle Paul who wrote in a letter to the church in Rome “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that by the power of the Holy Spirit, you may abound in hope.”
As a blessing to his audience, he exclaims that if they want to “abound in hope,” it is clear that they can seek this “God of hope” to be able to move through this world in a way that is not stuck in grief or sadness or apathy, but with expectation for better. The church in Rome at this time was heavily burdened and persecuted for believing in Jesus Christ. Rome wanted to put out the fire of the Christian movement but the apostle urged them to not let go of the God they believed in, who could keep the flame of hope alive for them.
Research points out that there are practical ways to better live hopeful lives, and in my life, I’ve seen a few ways to live this out.
First, community is vital for living lives that expect beauty and goodness in spite of darkness. I’ve seen this first- hand—surrounding myself with friends and family who have been given the right to call me out and “call me up” (as a mentor of mine states) allows me to never stay isolated in hopelessness. “One benefit of being in a community when you’re trying to maintain hope is there are people who are living examples of what hope looks like when it’s achieved,” said Jacqueline Mattis, PhD, dean of faculty and a professor of psychology at Rutgers University–Newark. “When you’re falling, they’ll be there to reimagine with you what it means to stand.” This is where play time with my kids, Aggie football watch parties with our crew of friends, and deep conversations with our community group revitalize my mind and remind me in any circumstances what it is to keep pressing on. 
Secondly, we have to unplug regularly. An ancient philosopher Epictetus once wrote “you become what you give your attention to” or in other words, “what you focus on expands.” This has been game-changing for me when it comes to the amount of news articles I consume or scrolling I find myself falling into. What consumes my mind? Does the weight I feel right now correlate to what I’ve been meditating on? If we pay more attention to the beauty of creation on a walk, or feel inspiration from a powerful verse, or enjoy the creativity of a favorite song more regularly, I believe we can experience more thriving to our very souls.
Thirdly, there are individuals and nonprofits around the world who are illuminating the darkness everyday through really good work. Are we taking notice? Especially when humanity can just seem horrible some days, am I aware of the divine work happening around the world through faithful organizations? If I’m unaware, that’s the best time to “get proximate” and get involved. Hope is a currency these partners work in every day. When adults with disabilities link up with an organization like Hugs Café, they come believing they are capable for more. Hugs Café sees their potential and trains them up for great work and launches them into positions in their restaurant to serve customers everyday, displaying to a watching world that hope is an action that bears beautiful fruit. Young women come to Unfaulted having aged out of the foster care system and with hopes they can build stable lives through education, employment, and community. With hope, they are met with case managers who walk with them to help see their goals can be met and then take steps to achieve them in new-found confidence. In Uganda, the people of the Kyenjonjo District hoped for better water sources that were not only clean but also more easily accessible to eliminate the disruption of having to collect water during hours they need to work or receive an education. Water4 has met their desire with a real-life solution through its NUMA water system that provides a sustainable well and treatment system. Now, locals can work, play, and learn without having to fear when they will be able to hydrate next.
Our Lord promises a day when “every tear will be wiped away and death shall be no more.” Until that day, The Rees-Jones Foundation is determined to continue “investing in people and encouraging hope.” We invite you to keep hoping with us and link arms with organizations that are taking action across our world to meet the hopes of others with heaven-sent solutions.