Christine Smith's Blog

The Virtue of Hope

“Hope” is a word frequently used in today’s society, but rather than using it in a spiritual sense, it is frequently cited in a secular sense and in relation to either a person, organization, or scientific discovery. Rarely does common usage find “hope” used in its true spiritual sense – in relation to God.

Hope is a virtue from God in which our desire for something is combined with an anticipation of receiving it due to our faith. It pertains to attainment of things in a manner which may even defy the pragmatic and rational path to obtainment assumed necessary in the world of man. Rather than relying on the mind, it taps into our soul’s knowing and its trust in Divine Order versus what only our eyes can see.

The Ascension of Jesus is most helpful to meditate upon (the Second Glorious Mystery) as it teaches hope and confirms it as no other event can ever come close to.

Hope emanates from true confession and receipt of God’s loving grace. Hope exist only in acceptance and joy in living the will of God.

One can “hope” when one believes that good (sometimes beyond our human comprehension and understanding) is coming to them, regardless of circumstances and appearances, because they are in God’s child.

Hope within the soul manifests in bold and courageous actions of faith, and inner peace. It occurs when one realizes your future is not dependent on the society around you.

Put not your hope in man, but in God (who may work through man), for He is the source of all good in our life. When darkness surrounds, the light is shown to you through prayer and supplication. Even as you see no apparent escape from the difficulties surrounding you, hope within your soul permits you to evince the strength you need for yourself and as a witness to others. In the decision to trust God is true hope. Putting hope in the societal enterprises the mind of man devises inevitably can lead to disappointment, pain, despair, and inevitably “hopelessness” because hope was placed into the (often) untrustworthiness of fellow human beings.

Hope is a virtue of our trust in God and his purpose for our life.