What is the difference between wishing and hoping as a believer? — Mark E Stanford offers lessons on drawing near to God, to know Him, and be like Him.

How often have you said to yourself, “Arrrrgh, I wish I could catch a break,” or, “If only I had more money?” We all have those times where we wish we could ____________________ (fill in the blank), however, wishes are not attached to any real form of reality. Wishes have no expectations. Wishes are dreams without goals. They are thoughts, that when vocalized, often sound weak because they have no substance. Wishes are, well, they are wishes. They are thoughts without hope. Children talk of wishes while adults speak of hope. What is the difference? What transition takes place in a persons life that moves them from wishes with no substance to assuredness and confidence?

First we need to grab ahold of what hope is. Hope is a desire that is attached to some form of reality. Hope requires a certain level of expectation. When a person says, “I hope Adam comes soon,” they express a knowledge that Adam is already traveling. Hope insists on the possibility of an outcome. Let’s compare a wish to hope. “I wish we would win,” for instance, suggests that we haven’t been winning and that it’s not likely we will win. “I hope we win,” carries the assurance that we have prepared and are ready, and even though the opponent is greater, we have a chance and so we hope. With hope there is less “chance” and more “certainty.” Many Christians who have gotten off “the path” have found themselves returning to the Bible for hope. They never turn to the Bible or God for a wish. Sports teams that have had bad seasons seek out new coaches or better players to bring them hope, never a wish. Soldiers who have been stranded and had no obvious help coming find hope in themselves, equipment, and their training.

Where do we get hope?

Hope is often external

Hope is found in something. When a person declares, “I hope I am cured of this cancer,” they are stating their assurance that all of the efforts of the medical professionals and all the medicines and procedures offer the potential for recovery. Healing is possible because an action is being taken externally to bring about a desired change internally. Hope in this case rests upon the competency of the medical system. Wishes are based on thoughts that are incapable of change. Hope that is based upon something external has potential and ability to bring comfort and peace internally as well as the original desired outcome (healing).

Years ago a relative noticed the lights flickering in their house. Just then, a neighbor burst in and exclaimed, “Your building is on fire.” The home owner didn’t sit there wishing that the fire would go out. A call was made to the fire department and all available hands went into action to protect and save what property they could. The hope of saving the building was based upon the actions of good neighbors and professional intervention. An external hope for an external result. Yes, the building was saved.

Hope for the Believer is external and internal

For a believer and follower of Jesus, their hope is in the attributes, character, nature, and person of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The very unique part of hope in God is that HE is literally within the believer. In John 14:17 we read, “…the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.” NASB. The believer has hope because the believer is “In Him” and the Spirit of God is “in the believer.” Here is an eye-opener: the word Hope appears only twice in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John). Why would the word hope be richly throughout the Old Testament and the Epistles, yet, hardly at all in the gospels? Because the Person in Whom the disciples would put their trust and hope was with them. The hope that was promised in the Old Testament was realized and present in the gospels.

Today we have the Holy Spirit as our indwelling hope. In Luke 11:13 Jesus said, “…how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” NASB. The believer doesn’t need to go anywhere for most of her/his help because help is within ….if we will ask. Read that verse again. “To those who ask!” Believer, you need to ask. Hope is available, but we need to ask. One of the great defining moments of growth that a believer can have is when they cease to ask others to pray for them and begin praying themselves, for themselves. An eternal connection is made when a believer puts their trials, contentions, hang-ups, concerns and life into God’s hands daily.

Having hope in a fireman, teacher, friend, or doctor is a blessing. Having a hope in God Who is within brings peace, comfort, assurance, confidence, and joy. All of those characteristics are within. They are substance. Notice that happiness is not on the list. Happiness is an emotion based upon an event “happening.” It is “happenstance” and confined to a brief period of time. Something happened that made you happy, like someone giving you flowers because you made their day. Several days later the flowers are dead and the happiness is a memory. Joy, on the other hand, is based on an attitude. Joy comes from a knowledge that God is with you in all your troubles. Scripture declares, “…the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.” Duet 31:6 NASB.

You see, God wants us to, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NASB. Our lives/paths will become passable when we acknowledge Him. That is, when we include Him in our decisions, will, desires, actions, and needs, He will guide and make straight, our way. It is up to us to include Him for almighty God can’t help us if we don’t want His help. He won’t bust down our doors like a super-hero in a star-studded movie. He is always and simply waiting for us to “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” James 4:8 NASB.

Hope for the future

Iris Russell, a relative, was given a grim diagnosis of cancer. It had spread. She brought peace to the family with her assurance and hope in God. Not, for an instant healing, though she welcomed that, but in the reality that God was with her. She knew and walked with God. The Holy Spirit, the Comforter, was within her bringing peace, joy, and comfort, all within an indescribable measure of abiding love. For her, to live was Christ, and to die was gain. The doctors couldn’t give Iris much hope, but the Holy Spirit gave her an eternal hope, one based upon the promises of Scripture and the testimonies of countless witnesses that have gone on before her.

You can have those assurances if you put your trust, faith, believe, and hope in God. He is always present, always comforting, always offering peace, always offering hope, but never abiding in a wish. He is substance and reality. He is yours to, ““Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NASB.

Let’s pray,

“Dear Father, I surrender these burdens I am carrying to You. I need You. Please forgive me and fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Help me to trust in You and not follow my own emotions and understanding. Please walk with me in all my ways and attitudes. Please lead and direct my paths. In Jesus name, Amen.