“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” -Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
Hope: It’s such a small, simple word that holds so much power. Poet Emily Dickinson wrote, “Hope is the thing with feathers — That perches in the soul — And sings the tune without the words — And never stops — at all.”
With those inspiring words in mind, let’s think of hope as the human spirit’s will to keep pressing forward, whatever our circumstances. While the complete absence of hope is considered despair, embracing the life of abundant hope our Creator intends for us is more than mere wishful thinking; hope helps us co-create a fulfilling and meaningful life.
Deeper and more satisfying than what we call happiness, which can be a transient emotion ebbing and flowing from moment to moment, the joy our souls experience when we hope is solid and steady, giving us a focal point to envision for our lives.
Keep reading to learn more about the science behind the spirit of hope and how it can make our lives more meaningful.
Feel Whole With Hope
At AdventHealth, we recognize the power of hope, and that living a meaningful life is tied to our whole health — body, mind and spirit — which is what we mean by “feel whole.” It’s a way of life that recognizes the delicate balance that must be achieved physically, emotionally and spiritually to experience fulfillment. Let’s explore the beautiful and very real connection between hope and meaning in our lives.
A New Study on Hope and Meaning-Making
A recent groundbreaking study at the University of Missouri challenges the status quo that historically stated that hope is simply tied to goal-setting and motivation, proving instead that hope “stands apart as one of the strongest positive emotions that directly fosters a sense of meaning.”
According to Eric Stann from the University of Missouri, “Using six studies with more than 2,300 participants from diverse backgrounds, the team analyzed a range of emotions, including amusement, contentment, excitement and happiness. The findings consistently demonstrated that only hope consistently predicted a stronger sense of meaning.”
The researchers go on to say that experiencing life as meaningful is key for any good thing that can be imagined in a human’s life. And hope and the actions we take because of it makes life feel meaningful — a cornerstone of psychological health, which can lead to better physical health, better relationships, positive financial outcomes and more. And all those things do make life more meaningful in tangible ways.
Hoping for the Future and Honoring the Past Creates a Meaningful Present
To help our readers pinpoint that which is meaningful in their lives and to learn how to find it, another interesting study shows the neurology behind nostalgia, looking to the past with fondness and comforting memories, is also a powerful force on behalf of our psychological well-being. It might be theorized that nostalgia is looking to the past to make meaning, and hope is looking forward to do the same.
In both cases, looking back with nostalgia and looking forward with hope have the power to ground us to the present and spark positive emotions of well-being, joy and above all, meaning. It also validates a concept that was first developed by neurologist, psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl, then called logotherapy. Still widely utilized by psychologists and psychiatrists to help their patients, the philosophy asserts that finding meaning in one’s life, even while suffering, is connected to hope and healing. In essence, making meaning in any circumstance is an important element of what it means to feel whole in the present.
Cultivate Hope Day to Day
Hope is not empty positivity. It’s keeping that focal point in sight even when life feels uncertain and scary. Remember that nothing is permanent and that each phase will pass, with hope as your constant north star.
Hope is recognizing small wins and the momentum of baby steps you take toward creating the life you imagine. Hope is knowing that things will get better, or that they are better than they were yesterday. “Where there is hope, there is life.”
Keep Hoping and Reach for What Makes You Feel Whole
Living whole means being physically healthy, mentally well, spiritually connected and socially content. It’s about fulfilling your God-given potential through your unique traits and overcoming challenges along the way. When the body, mind and spirit are in harmony, you experience wholeness and perfect peace. And it’s the human spirit that drives us to hope — and to live whole.
Learn more about our whole-person care philosophy and how we can help you stay well so you can achieve all your hopes and dreams. You deserve to feel whole.
