Tonight I am reflecting on my life. Things I’ve done. Things I should have done. Things I could have done. But all the “what-if’s” in the world will never change the way things are at this very moment.

Hope can be defined as “The general feeling that some desire will be fulfilled.”

Throughout my life nearly everyone I meet always makes some joke or wise-crack about my name. Now I’m sure most people mean absolutely nothing by it, but it tends to get old after a while.

“Hi, Hope! Hope you’re having a good day!”

“Hey, Hope! I hope you will call me later.”

There were many times I didn’t really like my name, simply because of these comments. I wished for a “normal” name–Sally, Jane, Mary, Susan–you know, something plain and ordinary.

Truth of the matter, though, is I am not an ordinary person. I am a child of God. I have unique talents and gifts that came only from God. I am special and extraordinary.

There have been times when it seemed as though all “hope” was gone. I have been so low that I didn’t know if I could ever be “up” again. It seemed as though everything I’d ever hoped and longed for crumbled into ashes at my feet, causing me to have to start over again from the beginning.

In moments of desperation I would seek out a friend, and hope that they could give me a morsel of encouragement. Yet, even if I found that voice telling me that everything would be okay, it still wouldn’t lift my spirits.

A friend told me once during one of my “down” moments that I would have to learn to pick myself up. She admonished me that she wouldn’t always be there to lend a helping hand, that there would be times that I will be alone. Her wisdom has proven to be true!

We each must hold hope for ourselves. We must dare to dream. Dare to live the impossible. We must reach out and hold on with every ounce of strength within, even when it seems we have no more strength.

Negative thoughts produce negative actions. I have come to learn that this is very true. A negative mindset is the breeding ground for anger, despair, and unhappiness.

I have always been a firm believer that it takes a strong mind and will to create positive outcomes. Somewhere along the way, though, I lost sight of that. I lost touch with the power within me. The power to dream and hope, and believe that what I desire (as long as it is of God) can come to pass. It all depends on me!

Hope and faith walk hand-in-hand. Desire something which is not, and believe that it will be yours.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
- Hebrews 11:1

Essayist Hope Wilbanks is Editor-in-Chief and publisher of Cup of Hope, an inspirational magazine for the Christian community. Visit Cup of Hope online at http://www.cupofhopemag.com to subscribe.