Holocaust survivor and forgiveness advocate, Eva Kor, tells of receiving an experimental injection at the cruel hands of Dr. Josef Mengele at the tender age of ten while imprisoned in Auschwitz. Suffering a raging fever for more than two weeks, the physicians expected her to die. Eva pressed into hope, determined to see her sister again, and survived.
Years later, Eva’s adult son was diagnosed with cancer. She again shared her harrowing story with her son, “Alex, when I was in Auschwitz, the doctors who were around me wanted me dead. I made the decision that I would live. Can you make that decision?”
After some time, Alex responded, “Mom, I think I understand it. This is my Auschwitz. This is my struggle that I need to survive.”
The True Source of Hope in Any Auschwitz
Do you relate to Eva or Alex? Maybe you feel imprisoned by the invisible walls of depression, bipolar disorder, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Or perhaps you are a caregiver, parent, or spouse of someone who lives with one of these conditions. It could be you wrestle with isolation, loneliness, or fear.
Your struggle and mine will likely never compare to that of Eva’s, but suffering is something most of us will or have faced. How do we discover hope in our personal Auschwitz?
People like Eva and Alex inspire us with their incredible stories of triumph. Too often, though, those who bear the brunt of distress forget God avails Himself to relieve heartache and hurt. Offer hope.
After all, survival without salvation leads to eternal hopelessness. But hope fulfilled generates abiding joy.
Survival without salvation leads to eternal hopelessness. But hope fulfilled generates abiding joy. #truehope Click To Tweet
What Is the Biblical Meaning of Hope?
In everyday speech, hope is merely a wish or desire. A blow-out-the-birthday-candles-afterthougth. Something that may or may not come to pass. The New Testament reveals that hope means something far different.
Derived from the Greek word, elpis, infers the joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation and the one Whom we have hope. It is employed in the following verses and many others.
- For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? (Romans 8:24 NASB)
- And in His name the Gentiles will hope. (Matthew 12:21 NASB)
- For we, through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. (Galatians 5:5 NASB)
- I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints…” (Ephesians 1:18 NASB)
- Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead… (1 Peter 1:3 NASB)
Our Hope is Eternal
Earthly strife and hardship shipwreck the faith of some. Will you allow it to destroy yours? Or will you seek shelter in Christ’s harbor—anchored to the One who stills anxious thoughts? Whispers calm in calamity. Proffers peace for our problems.
Here in the momentary, we may ache. The struggle is real. It was for Christ, too. He was:
- rejected
- despised
- homeless
- mocked
- flogged
- tempted
- tortured
- crucified
But three days following His death, Jesus strode out of the tomb–proving He was the:
- Son of God
- Lion of Judah
- Alpha and Omega
- Word of God
- Bread of Life
- Root of Jesse
- Wonderful Counselor
- King of Kings
- Lord of Lords
No matter our heartache, hurt, or hardship, and regardless of the difficulties we walk through this side of heaven, Jesus extends His nail-scarred hands our direction. Can you see Him motioning you closer, dear one? Don’t walk. Run! Jesus is our eternal hope.
Peace and grace,
Tammy
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