Hope (Meaning and Explanation)

We explain what hope is and how the Christian religion and psychology understand it. In addition, we offer you various examples.

A woman prays with hope. — Hope has had an important consideration in different religions.

What is hope?

Hope is, in its broadest sense, a state of mind of optimism and confidence that occurs when what is desired in advance seems feasible. It is said that a person who experiences this sensation is hopefulwhile if it is in the opposite situation, it is said to be hopelessthat is, given over to pessimism and frustration.

The word “hope” comes from Latin I will wait (“have hope”), and is closely related to the word “hope” and its derivatives, such as “despair.” In fact, it is possible to say that when you wait for something, you hope that it will happen, since it makes no sense to wait for something that you know will not happen.

Hope, however, has had an important consideration in different religions and moral codes since Antiquity. In mythologies such as Greco-Roman, hope is associated with minor deities such as Elpis, represented as a woman carrying flowers and with a horn of plenty (cornucopia).

In one of the best-known myths of this tradition, hope was the only thing left inside the famous Pandora's box, after she opened it and all the evils of the world escaped from it. That's where the expression would come from: “hope is the last thing you lose.”

Hope as a Christian virtue

The hope It is among the religious virtues that Christianity promotes among its faithful and constitutes a heritage of the Jewish religious tradition of the Old Testament. In these ancient books there are many episodes in which the saving action of God is made known in time, so it must be expected with full confidence, and it is in said expectation that the fidelity and faith of the people is put to the test. of Israel.

In this context, hope can be defined as faith in divine will, i.e. the deep belief in the wisdom of God's will, even when it cannot be understood. In fact, the Catholic friar and theologian Saint Thomas Aquinas (1224-1274) defines hope as “the infused virtue that enables man to have confidence and complete certainty of achieving eternal life and the means, both supernatural and natural, necessary.” to achieve it, supported by the omnipotent help of God.”

Along with faith and charity, hope constitutes in Christianity one of the theological virtues or supernatural virtues, which inspire and shape all moral virtues and are inspired in the faithful by the work and grace of God.

Hope in psychology

Hope, understood as optimism and a positive disposition to wait, It is often considered a positive personality trait. In fact, different currents of self-help and personal development promote a hopeful attitude towards life, even among people outside of religious feelings.

This is because Hope and optimism are a convenient starting point for dealing with life's dilemmas Because if fate brings misfortunes, they can be accepted and faced better with a resilient and hopeful attitude than with a defeated attitude. This psychological vision, in fact, values the teachings regarding acceptance and hope of different mystical and philosophical traditions, such as Zen Buddhism.

Examples of hope

The following are examples of hopeful attitudes:

A patient undergoing treatment difficult doctor, convinced that he will eventually regain his health no matter how long it takes.
A runner who gives his best in a competition, even though he knows that the best in the world will run alongside him, because he hopes to do a good job against them.
A person looking for a job in his area of expertise and does not stop believing that he will be able to achieve it, even though the competition is great.
A family member of a seriously ill person that until the last minute he does not give up the possibility of the doctors saving his life.

Continue with: Patience