Hope: Are you anchored or lost?

Have you ever wanted something so badly you couldn’t imagine not getting it? Is there anything you can’t imagine living without? What is it?

A promotion? A significant other? Friendship? Good grades? Some fancy new tech?

For many of us, it can be having healthy, happy relationships with friends and family.

As long as you have those healthy relationships, you’re OK. As long as you don’t do anything to disappoint them, you’re OK. As long as you don’t harm the relationship, you’re OK. Right?

You may tend to place your hope in how others feel about you. Your desire to have healthy relationships isn’t bad on its own, but it can cause pain.

For example, if you forget a birthday, buy the wrong gift or run late to a party, you may feel like you’ve failed. You’ve definitely disappointed someone with those actions. But the reality is that it may not have been a big deal.

You’re putting your hope where it doesn’t belong.

So, where should you place your hope?

The Anchor

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Hope is the anchor of the soul.”

What does that mean? It is inspired by Hebrews 6:19-20, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek” (New International Version).

This verse doesn’t refer to just anything, it refers to the “hope that was placed before us” by God. This hope is embodied in Jesus and the promise that God fulfilled through Him.

Nothing else can fulfill our hope.

Consider

Where are you placing your hope? Ask yourself a few questions:

• Who/what can I not live without?

• Who/what makes me feel fulfilled?

• Who/what gives me value?

Your answers to these questions are likely where you are placing your hope. Is it in Christ? Or is it somewhere else?

Next Steps

• Read Hebrews 6 and focus on this hope that has been placed before you.

  • Look back at Hebrews 4:14-16 to learn more about Jesus as the high priest and the hope He offers us.

• Read more about finding your hope in things that last.