The True Source of Hope

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. 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 Share on X

 

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

I sometimes link up with the following wonderful bloggers:

Mondays   Mandy and Michele/ Inspire Me Monday/Anita Ojeda Tuesdays InstaEncouragements Wednesdays  Recharge Wednesday / Tell His Story//Let’s Have Coffee Thursdays ImpartingGrace/Heart Encouragement  /  Tune In Thursday  /Salt and Light Friday FriendshipFriday/Blogger Voices Network /Faith on Fire

Tammy Kennington

  • Following your hosts via their blog and social media channels is not mandatory but appreciated!
  • Leave 1-2 of your most recent Christian Living posts. Please do not link DIY, Crafts, Recipes, etc. We will delete these links. We also reserve the right to remove articles that don’t align with the theme or are deemed by the hostesses to be inappropriate.
  • Visit 1-2 other links and leave a meaningful comment! We want to encourage community among us, so please don’t link and run!
  • We sort all links randomly—feel free to link as early or as late as
    • you’d like. The playing field is even!

    Featured Post Requirements

    • Please grab a button and link it back to one of our hosts to encourage new linkers. It is not mandatory to participate but is required to be featured.
    • Tammy will choose one blog post every other week to emphasize and promote via her website and social media channels. Be sure to visit our other hosts weekly to see what they have chosen.

    It isn’t mandatory to participate but greatly appreciated if you add our badge to your post or sidebar and link back to one of our hosts.

    Join us for the Grace & Truth Christian Link-Up. #graceandtruth #bloglinkup #christianbloggers Share on X

    You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

    Click here to enter