Living Hope: How to Stand Firm and Bring Hope in a Hopeless World
Regan Yoakam |
May 27, 2025
Stories have a unique power to shape our hearts and minds, and in many ways, movies serve as modern-day parables. They draw us in, inviting us to lean closer, to learn, and to hope. This is because we are made for story—woven into the fabric of our existence is a deep craving for hope. As Fyodor Dostoevsky famously said, "To live without hope is to cease to live." In this spirit, I want to share with you a powerful message about hope, drawing from the greatest story ever told and how we can live it out today.
The Greatest Story of Hope
At the center of all stories, the greatest story is the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is the ultimate narrative of hope—God becoming flesh, stepping into our broken world, and conquering death itself by rising from the grave. Jesus is the hero of all heroes, the greatest avenger who brings true hope to a world desperate for it.
Many of us have been captivated by epic tales in movies like Avengers: Endgame. That story arc, from the first Iron Man movie through to Endgame, is a beautiful illustration of hope rising from despair. In Infinity War, all seems lost—the heroes are defeated, and darkness prevails. But then, at the moment of greatest hopelessness, the portals open, and hope returns. The Avengers come back to life, ready to fight again.
This cinematic moment mirrors the truest story: after all seemed lost, Jesus stepped out of the tomb. His resurrection is our hope. When we receive Him as our Savior and invite the Holy Spirit into our lives, hope begins to soar within us—even in the darkest of times.
How to Live Hopefully in a Hopeless World
Living with hope is not passive; it is an active stance. The world around us often feels overwhelming and hopeless, but we are called to be the bearers of hope. We experience hope, we become hope, and we bring hope to others. But this requires intentionality, awareness, and spiritual strength.
There is an enemy who hates us and wants to keep us powerless and hopeless. When I first became a follower of Jesus, the reality of Satan’s opposition was strange and hard to grasp. But it’s true. This enemy prowls like a roaring lion, seeking to devour us and steal our hope. That’s why we must stand and fight—not with our own strength, but through the power of Jesus and the Holy Spirit living in us.
Standing Firm in Hope: Lessons from 1 Peter 5
In the Bible, the Apostle Peter wrote a letter to early Christians facing persecution and hopelessness. Around 63-64 AD, under Emperor Nero’s brutal reign, Christians were suffering terribly. Peter’s message was clear: Jesus is the living hope because He rose from the dead. He urged believers to stay the course and live in hope.
Let’s explore four key principles Peter gives us in 1 Peter 5:5-11 that help cultivate hope in the midst of hardship:
- Be Humble
- Stay Alert
- Stand Firm
Let Your Future Define Your Present
Be Humble
Peter starts by calling us to "dress ourselves in humility." This means recognizing God’s greatness and our own limitations. Pride has no place in the presence of God. True humility is not self-deprecation but a clear-eyed understanding that God is God and we are not. As C.S. Lewis said, biblical humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.
Humility is surrendering to Jesus as the one true power and hope. It’s admitting that we need Him and cannot navigate life on our own. It’s not weakness; it’s strength to say, "Jesus, I need you." This surrender cultivates grace in our lives and opens the door for hope to flourish.
Humility also means putting on a servant’s apron and loving others with the same grace we have received. When we embrace our identity as created beings under the authority of the Creator, we find freedom and hope. It’s a daily choice to walk humbly, knowing God cares deeply for us and will lift us up in His perfect timing.
Stay Alert
Peter warns us to "stay alert" because our enemy prowls like a roaring lion looking to devour. This reminds us that there is a spiritual battle going on, and we must be aware of the tactics the enemy uses: lies, manipulation, fear, anger, and distraction.
However, we don’t fear or fixate on the enemy. Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. When our eyes are fixed on Jesus, the enemy is powerless. But if we ignore the spiritual reality, we risk being blindsided and falling into hopelessness.
In today’s world, social media and technology can be tools the enemy uses to distract and distort our focus. Endless scrolling, comparison, and negativity can drain our hope. It’s essential to be intentional about how we use our time and guard our hearts from these traps.
Stand Firm
Standing firm means resisting the enemy and holding tightly to our faith in Jesus. The Greek word used here implies gripping firmly and not letting go. This is an active, daily decision to fight for hope and life.
I remember a story from my youth running a track in my neighborhood where a dog would chase me. One day, my dad ran with me and faced the dog head-on, stopping it in its tracks. This is how we treat Satan—not with fear, but with the power of the Holy Spirit. We stand our ground and resist because we know who holds the ultimate authority.
Standing firm also means asking for help when we need it. It’s not a sign of weakness but of strength to admit our need for Jesus and for others. We are not meant to walk this journey alone. Community, prayer, and support are vital to maintaining hope.
Let Your Future Define Your Present
Finally, Peter encourages us to look beyond the present suffering to the eternal future God has prepared for us. When we keep our eyes on heaven and the hope of eternal life, our current troubles lose their power to overwhelm us.
Great leaders and theologians have echoed this truth:
Nelson Mandela said, "Hope in heaven is our powerful weapon, so powerful that no one power on earth can deprive you of it."
Martin Luther King Jr. taught, "We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope."
Billy Graham reminded us, "Earth’s troubles fade in the light of heaven’s hope."
The Message translation beautifully sums it up: "The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before our generous God, who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are—will have you put together and on your feet for good."
Living and Bringing Hope Today
Hope is not just a feeling or wishful thinking; it is rooted in the person and work of Jesus Christ. When we live humbly, stay alert to the enemy’s tactics, stand firm in our faith, and fix our eyes on the eternal future, hope becomes a powerful reality in our lives.
We are called to be hope-bringers in a world starving for it. Our church exists to be and bring hope by living and loving like Jesus—being with Him, becoming like Him, and doing what He did. This means being people of the Holy Spirit, evangelists, disciple-makers, generous givers, and a biblically unified community reflecting God’s kingdom.
Hope is contagious. When we live in the power of the resurrection, we take ground for God’s kingdom here on earth. We support one another, strengthen each other, and stand on the firm foundation that Jesus provides.
The Hope Starts Here
Hope starts with Jesus. It starts with receiving Him as Savior, knowing who He is, and understanding our identity in Him. It starts with humility, awareness, and standing firm. It starts with a future-focused perspective that empowers us today.
In the face of adversity, persecution, or personal struggle, we are not alone. Jesus has overcome the world. The Holy Spirit equips us. And the community of believers surrounds us. Together, we can walk in living hope, be hope, and bring hope to a world that desperately needs it.
Remember, the enemy is real but defeated. Our God is greater. So let’s fix our eyes on Jesus, stand strong, and let hope soar in and through us. Hope starts here—with you, with me, with all of us who choose to live in the power of the risen King.