“Hope is the power that gives us the power to step out and try.”  Unknown

When was the last time someone said to you, “Don’t get your hopes up?”

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when dreams come true, there is life and joy.  (Prov. 13:12; NLT)

Who among us hasn’t had some well-meaning person in our life warn us to not get our hopes up?  You know, they were really trying to help, weren’t they?  They were only trying to keep you from being disappointed or hurt when your dreams didn’t come true.

Well, I would like to suggest that as well-intentioned as it was, the all too often heard, “Don’t get your hopes up,” ranks right up there as a top contender for the world’s worst advice.  How can advice given in love and concern end up being so bad?

Well, almost always that word of advice is given in an attempt to manage someone’s expectations…and when I say “manage,” you could easily substitute the word “lower.”  In other words, “your dreams are too big.  I don’t want you to be hurt when they aren’t realized.”  But what they are really saying is “bring your dreams down here with the rest of us.”  After all mediocrity is much safer.

I’ve heard it said that to hope is to have expectations.  It’s like shining a light in a dark, negative world.  So, get your hopes up!!!  Keep them up!!!  When you don’t see things happening as you would like them to be, hope even more.  After all, if you realized what you were hoping for, you would not need to hope anymore.  The absence of evidence gives hope the reason to be.

So when someone offers that terrible, dream-stealing piece of advice to you, just smile and thank them very much.  And as quick as you can go find people that are filled with hopes, dreams, and expectations.  Seek the excellence that God created you for rather than the mediocrity that the world around you is comfortable with.  You’ll be glad you did.

Prayer Power
Lord, we thank you for the hope that You give us.  We thank you that You created us to hope and dream and that You delight in giving us the desires of our heart.

Link of the Day
What is hope?

Blessings on you as you keep your hope up through this new week.