Year of Hope

Life has a way of sometimes beating us up and so I thought I need to pause, breathe deeply and simply declare that this is my Year of Hope.  Hope believes the best!

I did some research and confirmed what I really already knew about hope…

…How the power of thought can change our physical health for good or bad.    In Jerome Groopman’s book entitled “The Anatomy of Hope,” he writes: “Researchers are learning that a change in mind-set has the power to alter neurochemistry.”  And going back to ancient works, Proverbs already has said,  ^“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” 

James Allen has also written a book with the similar title of the ancient proverb, As a Man Thinketh in which he states, “The body is the servant of the mind. It obeys the operations of the mind, whether they be deliberately chosen or automatically expressed. At the bidding of unlawful thoughts the body sinks rapidly into disease and decay; at the command of glad and beautiful thoughts it becomes clothed with youthfulness and beauty.” 

Allen believes that both disease and good health are rooted in thought, and he is not alone as this is supported in this scientific study, Open Hearts Build Lives: Positive Emotions, Induced Through Loving-Kindness Meditation, Build Consequential Personal Resources. Their conclusion…Continual negative thoughts create cell dysfunction, but strong and happy thinking builds the body and its functions. The power of not only clean living and food, but joyful thoughts and hope bring the body back into balance. Allen says, “There is no physician like cheerful thoughts for dissipating the ills of the body. “

So what does this mean for us? 

I guess despite our often difficult circumstances, we have no choice but to find hope in the ordinary and simple blessings that we DO have.  During this Holy Week, I will stop, breathe deeply, count my blessings and meditate on Jeremiah 29:11:

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.

¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

Let’s make this the year to hope. And yes, my soul will find rest in God because truly my hope comes from Him alone.