May Hope Be Your Anchor – Part Four

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day” (II Corinthians 4: 16).

        A secular song from the musical “Damn Yankee” carries these words worthy of a spiritual application.            

You’ve gotta have heart
All you really need is heart
When the odds are sayin’ you’ll never win
That’s when the grin should start
You’ve gotta have hope
Mustn’t sit around and mope
Nothin’s half as bad as it may appear
Wait’ll next year and hope
When your luck is battin’ zero
Get your chin up off the floor
Mister you can be a hero
You can open any door, there’s nothin’ to it but to do it
You’ve gotta have heart
Miles ’n miles n’ miles of heart.

        There are a couple of lines in that which are inappropriate, but the theme is relevant to life. You have got to have heart, that is, a good spirit, a great attitude.

        Admiral William H. McRaven writes about what he learned during Navy SEAL training that has helped him and could help anyone live a better life. Hope. He said: “Hope is the most powerful force in the universe. With hope you can inspire nations to greatness. With hope you can raise up the downtrodden. With hope you can ease the pain of unbearable loss. Sometimes all it takes is one person to make a difference.”

        There is a toothpaste commercial on TV that simply says, “Be the first to smile.” Doing so inspires others to smile. Evidence hope and you will inspire others who have no hope to develop it. All around there are those who need it.

        Neuroscientist Tali Sharot argues hope is so essential to our survival that it is hardwired into our brains, arguing it can be the difference between living a healthier life versus one trapped by despair.

        The inward person must not stay the same. Growth is indispensable. Growth in grace and knowledge enables a hopeful outlook.

        Hope is the outstretched hand in the dark—an act of faith that someone will take it and share their strength.

        Hope is like a lighthouse guiding a storm tossed vessel to a safe haven.

        “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11: 1). Partnered with its companion “faith” they are eyes that see the unseen as reality.

        Don’t be bullied by your fears. Have heart and be emboldened thereby.

        In the Beatitudes Jesus taught that those “pure in heart” would “see God.” That is an ultimate truth with a present challenge. You ‘gotta have heart. 

        God is eavesdropping for sounds you have heart in facing your life’s challenges. Don’t let the passing of time cause your spiritual heartbeat to grow faint.