I found it ironic. The person to whom I came for help in processing years of emotional trauma inspired by me? When you view your life as a trainwreck, you hardly imagine anyone finding it interesting, much less “inspiring”. Yet, “despite all which has transpired in my life”, she oozed, “you not only cling to Hope, you exude it.” And that inspires others to do the same. In fact, that is exactly when Hope becomes a small rebellion.
Almost equal to Joy, Hope is one of the most infectious emotions we experience.
Though seemingly insignificant, clinging to Hope for a better tomorrow, or that something of value will come out of my suffering proclaims more than positive wishes for the future.
It is the demonstration of tenacity at its core, a stubborn grace which refuses to succumb to defeat.
Melba Maggay, whose non-violent resistance helped to end the corrupt Marcos regime in the Philippines, said it best:
“So this we believe: a kingdom of justice and righteousness has begun, and it is making its way into people’s lives and denting structures that continue to oppress and dehumanise. Such work is seldom done in the corridors of power nor in the halls of the great. Often it is in the many small acts of integrity and goodness that many faceless men and women do every day… It is this daily practice of hope which keeps most of us going, keeping the monsters at bay as humbly and powerfully we are caught up in the kingdom fire and the stubborn grace that shines at the heart of existence.”
Refusing a belief system which sees only brokenness and suffering as defining features of a worthless life, Hope sees not only what can be, but what will be. The catalyst for every uprising, Hope believes change is possible.
Coupled with my counselor’s declaration of my relentless return week after week, doing the hard work of healing, Maggay’s words spoke deep into my soul. “The small acts of integrity and goodness, the daily practice of Hope,” slay the giants of despair as we wield the sword of stubborn grace, watching Hope become a small rebellion.
“I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.”
Pondering the thought of Hope as a small rebellion, led me to considering how David often expressed this very idea in the Psalms. How many times amid the lament psalms we find David clinging to Hope in the most desperate of situations.
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42:5
“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.” Psalm 62:5
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42:11
“We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.” Psalm 33:20-22
“But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.” Psalm 39:7
Though battered by personal suffering and grief or the world’s injustices assaulting us each day, clinging to Hope ignites those small rebellions in our circle of influence.
Quietly choosing Hope in hard situations may seem insignificant, but just as Jesus transformed an insignificant lunch of five loaves and two fishes into a bounty feeding in excess of five thousand people, (with leftovers!) He will use your quiet integrity and faith to bring about what feels impossible.
Hope becomes a small rebellion when we choose Hope, surrendering past disappointments and future fears into the hands of a sovereign Savior.
In doing so, we declare change is possible, healing is possible, all things are possible through Christ. Hurting people need Hope not sympathy. If you want to instigate change in your life, your circle of influence, even the world around you, choose Hope and watch it become a small rebellion.
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Such a powerful declaration of transformation, Donna! “Hope becomes a small rebellion when we choose Hope, surrendering past disappointments and future fears into the hands of a sovereign Savior.” I’m thankful that His Light is greater than all the darkness.
Thank you, Lisa, if we chose to channel our natural resistance into Hope, we might find God can do impossible things in our lives!
Donna, I am so inspired by your willingness to “return week after week, doing the hard work of healing.” It hurts my heart when people either refuse to go there or simply cannot for some reason, even when addressing those hard things could change their lives and possibly the lives of their most loved ones. I love the idea of hope being a small rebellion!
Thank you, Lois for your kind words of encouragement. As I mention in this article, I can hardly imagine anyone being inspired by my efforts, but then perhaps that’s how Hope becomes a small rebellion! I agree, while at times it may feel hard to go through the healing, God can do so much with even a meager effort!
I love the idea that Hope and joy are infectious—and it’s a reminder too that their opposites are equally catching…
Oh how true Michele, maybe those opposites are even MORE contagious at times!!!
mmm … I like this idea of choosing a daily practice of hope. Whether for healing or growth or simply survival, this is a small step we can take that will move us slowly but surely ahead.
Your words remind me of Romans 5:5 – ‘And hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.’
Thank you, friend.
Linda, I almost feel like choosing Hope in the hard places starts a chain reaction allowing God to accomplish more than we ever thought He could. And YES, I thought of Romans 5:5 too, one of my favorite verses!! Amen!!
I appreciated this post, Donna. May we rebel, holding onto Hope and “declare change is possible, healing is possible, all things are possible through Christ.”
Thank you, Joanne! I have been tickled just thinking about the possibilities of the positive rebellion of a tenacious Hope!
I appreciate your insight of hope being a small rebellion, Donna. I’ll try to remember that because I can too quickly fall into hopelessness in certain situations. Thanks for sharing this!
Lisa, I have trouble beating hopelessness too. As if our own grief, suffering and challenges aren’t enough, we live in a very volatile world! But I’m glad even a small amount of Hope can alter our perceptions and allow us to see God at work.