Hope, an anchor of the soul

[FollowingtheWay]

To me as I’m reading through the New Testament a common theme is Hope. Is this something we intentionally cultivate in our lives or does it come naturally through faith? What are you personally doing to cultivate hope in your life practically ? How do you define hope in the life of a Christian? How is this concrete and accessible in your personal daily lives?

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭15‬:‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬


“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭6‬:‭19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

 

[FollowingtheWay]

Has anyone been stopped and asked by a random person on the street or in the grocery for the reason for the hope you have? It would seem to me this must be something that would be visually seen on our faces, our countenance perhaps as we do daily life

“but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭15‬ ‭ESV‬‬

 

[Webers.Home]

.
● 1Pet 3:15b . . Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks
you a reason of the hope that is in you.

The Greek word translated "hope" in that passage, and in others (e.g. Rom
8:23-25) pertains to expectations; viz: it isn't wishful thinking, nor crossing
your fingers; no, it's a confident kind of hope that looks forward to
something, and fully expects to obtain it; i.e. it's an anticipating hope; viz: it
doesn't pray for the best, while in the back of its mind dreading the worst.

When people aren't 110% sure what the afterlife has in store for them-- if
there is even the slightest concern, anxiety, or unease --they can't possibly
comply with Peter's instructions for the simple reason that the hope that is in
them, if any, is the wrong kind of hope.

● Rom 12:12 . . Rejoice in hope.

When people are praying for the best, while in the back of their mind
dreading the worst, they have absolutely no cause for rejoicing; no; but they
do have plenty of cause to fear the unknown.
_

 

[FollowingtheWay]

.
● 1Pet 3:15b . . Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks
you a reason of the hope that is in you.

The Greek word translated "hope" in that passage, and in others (e.g. Rom
8:23-25) pertains to expectations; viz: it isn't wishful thinking, nor crossing
your fingers; no, it's a confident kind of hope that looks forward to
something, and fully expects to obtain it; i.e. it's an anticipating hope; viz: it
doesn't pray for the best, while in the back of its mind dreading the worst.

When people aren't 110% sure what the afterlife has in store for them-- if
there is even the slightest concern, anxiety, or unease --they can't possibly
comply with Peter's instructions for the simple reason that the hope that is in
them, if any, is the wrong kind of hope.

● Rom 12:12 . . Rejoice in hope.

When people are praying for the best, while in the back of their mind
dreading the worst, they have absolutely no cause for rejoicing; no; but they
do have plenty of cause to fear the unknown.
_

Would you be willing to freely associate with that? What has been your personal experience internally and externally with others around you regarding hope. How do we grow in Hope? We grow in Love, we grow in faith but how do we grow in hope?

 

[Nehemiah6]

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,”

The anchor for the soul is Christ Himself. "Christ in you the hope of glory". The "hope" or expectation is that we will always be welcome behind the veil.

 

[FollowingtheWay]

The anchor for the soul is Christ Himself. "Christ in you the hope of glory". The "hope" or expectation is that we will always be welcome behind the veil.

Ok so what does that hope look like for you? How do you personally experience that hope in your inmost being? Can you Put words to what your experience is? In Christ what are you hoping for? What is this glory as you experience it behind that veil?

 

[Nehemiah6]

Ok so what does that hope look like for you? How do you experience that hope in your inmost being? Can you Put words to what your experience is? In Christ what are you hoping for? What is this glory as you experience it?

That hope is a total confidence that nothing can separate me from the love of Christ, since everything given by God is a gift of His grace. The glory and glorification is for the future. And God has a future plan for His children.

 

[FollowingtheWay]

That hope is a total confidence that nothing can separate me from the love of Christ, since everything given by God is a gift of His grace. The glory and glorification is for the future. And God has a future plan for His children.

Do random people stop and ask you the reason for your confidence? To your understanding in your own words what is that future plan for his children?

 

[Nehemiah6]

Do random people stop and ask you the reason for your confidence? To your understanding in your own words what is that future plan for his children?

This is a subject in itself, so kindly go first.

 

[FollowingtheWay]

This is a subject in itself, so kindly go first.

That’s why I’m here asking cause I personally struggle with this. No one ever stops and asks me for a reason for my hope, should I be concerned that my hope isn’t evident to others because of their silence? So I’m a genuine mind here wanting to cross check and examine myself.

 

[Nehemiah6]

That’s why I’m here asking cause I personally struggle with this. No one ever stops and asks me for a reason for my hope, should I be concerned that my hope isn’t evident to others because of their silence? So I’m a genuine mind here wanting to cross check and examine myself.

It is not a hard and fast rule that people should be walking up to you and asking about your hope. They are too busy with the affairs of this world. On the other hand you can be walking up to others and telling that that you would like to share some very good news with them. And while doing that you will have reason enough to share that hope/confidence which is within you.

 

[FollowingtheWay]

It is not a hard and fast rule that people should be walking up to you and asking about your hope. They are too busy with the affairs of this world. On the other hand you can be walking up to others and telling that that you would like to share some very good news with them. And while doing that you will have reason enough to share that hope/confidence which is within you.

Ok I can understand that.

 

[studentoftheword]

Hope like people have said is an expectation

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
faith, hope.
From a primary elpo (to anticipate, usually with pleasure); expectation

You hope to get your prayer answered -----you should have your neck stuck out in anticipation that your answer will come ----as long as you follow the protocol in God's word to get answered prayer -----

Philippians 4:19 AMP B---Notice it Says ----God will supply ---this is a promise -----so your hope ----(expectation )is that God will do as He says ------

Amplified Bible
And my God will liberally supply (fill until full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus

The Greek word supply is ---

Strong's Concordance

pléroó: to make full, to complete​

properly, fill to individual capacity, i.e. to the extent it is "meet" (appropriate)

Philippians 4:19; to cause to abound, to furnish or supply liberally: I abound, I am liberally supplied, namely, with what is necessary for subsistence


So what does this word subsistence mean ---in Greek

Strong's Concordance

huparxis: subsistence, existence, property​

possessions, goods, wealth, property

 

[FollowingtheWay]

Hope like people have said is an expectation

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
faith, hope.
From a primary elpo (to anticipate, usually with pleasure); expectation

You hope to get your prayer answered -----you should have your neck stuck out in anticipation that your answer will come ----as long as you follow the protocol in God's word to get answered prayer -----

Philippians 4:19 AMP B---Notice it Says ----God will supply ---this is a promise -----so your hope ----(expectation )is that God will do as He says ------

Amplified Bible
And my God will liberally supply (fill until full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus

The Greek word supply is ---

Strong's Concordance
pléroó: to make full, to complete

properly, fill to individual capacity, i.e. to the extent it is "meet" (appropriate)

Philippians 4:19; to cause to abound, to furnish or supply liberally: I abound, I am liberally supplied, namely, with what is necessary for subsistence


So what does this word subsistence mean ---in Greek

Strong's Concordance
huparxis: subsistence, existence, property
possessions, goods, wealth, property

In your own personal experience is it an experiential Hope like we can see in the psalms? Something that is observable internally. For example the Psalms are dotted with these statements of the psalmist looking internally and finding his soul being downcast and then hope rising as he puts his trust in the Lord.

“My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar. Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭42‬:‭6‬-‭7‬, ‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

 

[studentoftheword]

n your own personal experience is it an experiential Hope like we can see in the psalms?

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?

I don't know or ever heard of experiential hope -----have heard of False Hope ---which is being preached all over the world -----

my view here

This Psalm 42 is about conflict in the Soul of a believer ---when your soul rest on self it sinks ---there is no True hope ----your true Hope only comes when you catch hold of God's power and promises only then is your head kept above the veil ----

The only way to forget our miseries is to focus on God and trust Him -----so Hope is the anchor of your soul only when you are near God -----and trust in His promises

An Anchor is outside the Ship and steadies it ---keeps it in place -----So hope is like the anchor of the ship that keeps our soul at rest -----a sure anchor doesn't drag the ship's crew trust the anchor to hold the ship steadfast ------the soul --is our mind --will and emotions and if they have not a secure anchor which is our hope in God to keep us grounded ----we will have no hope or resort to false hope which is no hope-----

 

[The_Watchers_2017]

 

[FollowingtheWay]

I don't know or ever heard of experiential hope -----have heard of False Hope ---which is being preached all over the world -----

my view here

This Psalm 42 is about conflict in the Soul of a believer ---when your soul rest on self it sinks ---there is no True hope ----your true Hope only comes when you catch hold of God's power and promises only then is your head kept above the veil ----

The only way to forget our miseries is to focus on God and trust Him -----so Hope is the anchor of your soul only when you are near God -----and trust in His promises

An Anchor is outside the Ship and steadies it ---keeps it in place -----So hope is like the anchor of the ship that keeps our soul at rest -----a sure anchor doesn't drag the ship's crew trust the anchor to hold the ship steadfast ------the soul --is our mind --will and emotions and if they have not a secure anchor which is our hope in God to keep us grounded ----we will have no hope or resort to false hope which is no hope-----

What I’m asking by experiential is - can you explain your internal dialog/ experiences within your soul? What were you experiencing personally in your mind, will and emotions when you have went from a no hope /false hope to this hope that anchors the soul in Christ? Can you put words to it describing the change from a no hope/false hope to hope in Christ?

 

[FollowingtheWay]

What I’m asking by experiential is - can you explain your internal dialog/ experiences within your soul? What were you experiencing personally in your mind, will and emotions when you have went from a no hope /false hope to this hope that anchors the soul in Christ? Can you put words to it describing the change from a no hope/false hope to hope in Christ?

You’re talking to a person who spent 32 years of his life with no hope /false hope. I was probably borderline depressed never clinically but was majorly dominated by negative thoughts and emotions much of my life. I know I experienced a change at Accepting Christ into my heart and life but cannot put words to describe the change and I’m trying to get a baseline of where I’m at internally if I’m firmly grounded in that Hope in Christ or if I still need to cultivate my heart for God to grow hope in me through Holy Spirit.

 

[FollowingtheWay]

You’re talking to a person who spent 32 years of his life with no hope /false hope. I was probably borderline depressed never clinically but was majorly dominated by negative thoughts and emotions much of my life. I know I experienced a change at Accepting Christ into my heart and life but cannot put words to describe the change and I’m trying to get a baseline of where I’m at internally if I’m firmly grounded in that Hope in Christ or if I still need to cultivate my heart for God to grow hope in me through Holy Spirit.

Let me simplify this. if you were to give a caricature to my internal thought life prior to salvation it would have sounded like you were listening to this cartoon character which the secular wold acknowledges as depression

But now much of that has dissipated since my salvation but I can’t really put words to it besides saying something feels different inside me. But also at 4 years into being saved At times this negative dialogue tries to raise its ugly head again, from time to time. so I’m trying to determine if that’s because Holy Spirit is still has work in me that he needs to do and if there are intentional things I can to cultivate my heart making it easier for Holy Spirit to impart the Hope of Christ deeper into my soul.

 

[JaumeJ]

FollowingtheWay
My prayer at present is that you hold fast and continue to share the wisdom that has been imparted to you. You have blessed me greatly. Hold fast, you are very blessed already, I believe.