Hope―Much More Than Wishful Thinking

November 14th, 2025

Have you ever found yourself using the word "hope" in a wishful, but somewhat doubtful context? I must confess that I have, and probably a lot more than I'd like to admit. In today's blog, join me (Holly) through a favorite DeBunked video and a lot of Scripture to remind us both of how God's definition of hope stands in stark contrast to the world's.

“I hope God will bless me with lots of ideas today.”
“I hope I can get in the writing zone after taking these notes.”
“I hope I can unpack the material in a way that the audience can learn
and master this important content.”

As I once again viewed DeBunked, Episode 4, “There is Real Hope without Jesus ... DeBunked,” I was convicted about my own doubtful approach in using this word in my everyday conversations. I encourage you now to take a few minutes (2:54 to be exact!) to watch this video to truly understand what I’m getting at here.

"We all desire something we can place our trust in with certainty."

My “hopes” so to speak were voiced merely as wishes, or as Webster’s puts it, “feeling(s) of wanting something along with the belief that it may happen” (italics mine). As we are queried in Episode 4 of DeBunked,

“...(C)an we really call uncertain, confidence-lacking, rolling the dice, closing your eyes, ruby(-slipper) clicking, rabbit-foot rubbing, wishful thinking―hope? … Shouldn’t true hope, ultimate hope, eternal hope be based on truth, fact, … something I can … be confident in?”

Though these questions are designed to be a bit rhetorical, I think we’d all agree with a solid, “Yes!” We all desire something we can place our trust in with certainty.

At Reasons for Hope*, we believe that such certainty is revealed in God’s Holy Word. The word “hope” as used in the New Testament (NT) is from the Greek “elpis” which means “expectation, trust, and confidence.” From the root “elpo,” meaning “to anticipate (with pleasure) and to welcome,” elpis is then having confidence in what is guaranteed.

We first see the use of this word in the NT in Matthew 12:21, “and in his name the Gentiles will hope.” It later appears over 50 times and is used to refer to future events that are sure to occur. The notable recurrence of elpis in Scripture shows us how important it is to God that we "Know it! Live it! Share it!"

The Source of Hope

In case there is any doubt, let’s establish that THE source of true, confidently expectant hope you can trust now and forever is God Himself. Scripture calls Him, “the God of hope” affirming Him as the source of all real hope. If we truly desire genuine hope, it has to come from Him, for only He has the power needed to provide it.

Because I am a Christian, Christ has provided me―and ALL believers in Him--with the hope of salvation both here on earth and for eternity.

And to be honest, we really need to have this eternal hope to get us through the ongoing flood of trials and tribulations on this earth in the present. When my husband and I started sharing with friends and family that we were joining the team at Reasons for Hope*, many of them quickly responded with, “We could sure use some of that right now!” This message is both needed and timely, for “if in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied”
(1 Corinthians 15:19).

The Blessings of Hope

To make this idea even more personal, that is to say, “Christ in me, the hope of glory” brings to the conversation the absolutely mind-boggling, soul-stirring concept that “the power of Christ rests upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9). To then assert that my hope is a “blessing” seems cliché, yet, at the same time, attaches the concept of hope to the certain, able-to-be-trusted, tangible promises of God--exactly what it tells us in His Word.

"When you have hope, you understand blessings in a deeper way."

Also, Titus 2:13 posits that we are “waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” Through this hope, we don’t just get a little bit of benefit (blessing) but are filled with joy and peace. When you have hope, you understand blessings in a deeper way.

Additionally, we are the willing recipients of the abundance of God’s grace as we wait expectantly for “His glorious appearing” in the person of Christ. The more I read and study this four-letter word, the more excited I get to share this amazing and awesome news with anyone who will listen! But then, isn’t that what the Bible says happens when we have this hope?

The Boldness We Have Through Hope

When we understand hope biblically, come to know it personally and experientially, and live in its fullness, we can’t help but share it, because one of the byproducts of hope is boldness. But you don’t have to take my word for it (Acts 17:11b); these Scriptures speak for themselves and empower us to live out our faith with boldness.

So, … no more wishful thinking, Christians. We can press forward with absolute certainty and boldness because of Whose we are.

1 Peter 3:15 NKJV
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you,
with meekness and fear."

Author Bio:
Holly Varnum, Director of Curriculum Development at Reasons for Hope, serves as the Managing Editor for our book projects and weekly blogs, writes blogs and curricular materials to support many of our media resources, speaks at conferences, and trains Christian educators. With degrees in education, curriculum and instruction, and educational administration, she comes with over three decades of experience in working with teens and adults in camp ministry, teaching and administration, and curriculum writing (A Beka Book, Focus on the Family, and Answers in Genesis to name a few). God has provided her with a well-rounded educational perspective through service in Christian schools, charter schools, public schools, homeschooling, Christian camps, and local church ministry. She has been a classroom teacher, instructional coach, administrator, camp counselor, Sunday School teacher, ladies’ Bible Study teacher, and conference speaker. She is so blessed to share her passion for God’s truth within the context of Reasons for Hope.

Holly and her husband, Paul, also enjoy any time they can spend with their three grown daughters, two sons-in-law, and four grandchildren (so far!). They live in southern New Jersey, and yes, they eat lobster (properly pronounced “lobstah”) and crab whenever they get a chance!

To learn more about Holly, or to book her as a speaker for educational, ladies', or girls' events, click HERE.