Hope

"Doctors recognize that fostering realistic hope is a core function of patient care, essential for managing suffering, improving quality of life, and building a strong therapeutic alliance, rather than just promoting blind optimism. True, constructive hope balances acknowledging medical realities with identifying meaningful goals, which helps patients maintain morale even in dire circumstances." Quote from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Jan 2, 2023

This is the same message the Bible has shared for over 3,500 years.

Isaiah 40:31: "but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength." (700 BC)

Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (peace, not the lack of troubles, but help and not panic in the mists of troubles)

Romans 5:3-5 "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."

The trouble of this life only makes sense if we have hope that there is a better life to come:

Romans 8:17-18 “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”

1 Peter 5:10 "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. "

That hope is of the promise of a New Creation, where there will be no pain, suffering, or death. This hope is not mere optimism but a confident, life-giving trust in God's promises, empowered by the Holy Spirit. God has kept His past promises, so He will keep His future promises. He has taken many from darkness to light, from despair to light and hope. See New Creation page

Believers are to share this hope:

1 Peter 3:15: "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect".

Also see the New Creation page

Also see Pain and Suffering page

Ref:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9829878/ Giving Hope as a High Reliability Function of Health Care By: Deirdre Mylod, Thomas H Lee US Health

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6086495/ Relationship of hope, sense of community, and quality of life