In Part 1 we talked about how we hope for many things, which we might not always get and that although we might wonder why, it is often only revealed to us many years later. Then only, we understand why we did not get what we hoped for, seeing God’s protection over us. If you missed Part 1, please click here.
In a December 2022 article written by Cathy Caprino, a global career and leadership coach, she lists a few things that people wish for. The things highlighted that adults mainly wish for are happiness, money, freedom, peace, joy, balance, fulfilment, confidence, stability, and passion. You might relate to one, more or all the above. When looking at what kids wish for, John Laing writes in a Westcoast Families Article dated 28 January 2021, that kids wish for are a good, goodnight (conversations at bedtime), quality time, affection, plans to look forward to, private time, special messages, to be silly, playdates, guidance, approval and to have less stress.
Are you reading this? Yes, kids want to be loved, cared for, be just kids, be approved of, have structure and to be protected. For me, the reality is that when the previously mentioned is non-existent or poorly presented, it contributes to higher stress levels and yes, kids also experience stress in our all so busy lives in a fast-moving world.
Looking at what kids wish for and then looking at the time that lapses from childhood to adolescence, if the things that kids hope for, are not fulfilled, it leaves a gap and emptiness. These in turn contribute to what adults listed that they hope for in life, such as happiness, freedom, peace, joy, balance, fulfilment, confidence, and stability. If we struggle to see how this all relates, to fulfil the things kids hope for, we will have years later, adults with huge gaps in their emotional state and everyday lives.
With all this said, everything is always in moderation and within a healthy balance so that we do not go to the extremes which again has completely the opposite effect of what is desired in a well-balanced life. Just by the way, the things kids listed, are all do-able and we as adults must put in more effort to fulfil those things needed by our kids. Remember, our kids today, are tomorrow’s parents and leaders.
Romans 8:23-25 reads: “Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope, we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”
Romans 15:4 reads: “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” So, it is important to know that we must learn from the past. There were times God said yes to His people and times that He was silent and there was always a reason for it.
Romans 15:13 reads: “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.” Hence, we must hope for the things that are unseen. Off course if we already have something, why would we hope for it? It is about what you do not yet have, that you hope for.
Two of the things listed by adults that they hope for in life, is joy and peace, which is listed in Romans 15:13. How awesome is this? The answer remains in the Word of God, put into action through hope, just as we read in Hebrews 11:1 that says that faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
So, now we have faith and hope and as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13, there is also love. These three are linked, and simply powerful standing together. The greatest is love and why? Because LOVE as in Christ, is the HOPE of this world and you will only gain that LOVE through FAITH.
In the final part of this e-book to follow, we will talk a bit more about Shaken Hope.
Love in Christ,
Princess K