VIRTUES~N~VICES :: Hope

Virtue:a valued foundation principle of good moral behavior; a holy habit

Vice: a practice ofwrongdoing, essentially corruption of the virtue; an unholy habit.

Hope is most needed in our worldwhere trials and troubles abound. Though not a virtue in the traditional senseof honesty and perseverance; Hope is an emotional and theological virtue. Itsantithesis is Despair.

Hope: feeling that what is wantedcan be had; that events will turn out for the best.

Despair: loss of hope; hopelessness.

How can Hope and Despair be habits?Don’t they just happen to us in our emotions?

Habits, good or bad, often have root in our emotions. Hope and Despair are certainly emotionallydriven. I’ve learned I can choose to follow certain emotions and not others. The key is recognizingthe emotion when it shows up by reflecting on recent thoughts… 

Where are these thoughts sending me? Is that where I want to go? Is that where I need to go?

I know if Ithink despairing thoughts long enough I’ll getstuck in a negative habit, which will eventually affect my behavior.

As a theological virtue, Hope is thebridge between faith and love. Like faith, Hope is a gift of God. God doesn’twant us to be in a state of Despair. He wants us to live with hopeful hearts,expecting the best from Him each and every day.

We must depend on God tokeep our heart and mind in a hopeful place. And the only way to dothat, is to stay in God’s Word! One of my favorite devotional Bibles is Joeland Victoria Osteen’s: Hope for Today Bible. It’s exactly what it says, Hopefor everyday! Get one and read it. You won’t struggle with despair anylonger.

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. ~Roman 15:13