Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father. – 1 Thessalonians 1:3 (NKJV)

Key points:

  • The hope the Bible encourages us to have is not wishful thinking but rather a hope that leads us to trust in God.
  • Our trust in God’s faithfulness leads us to work and labour with loving endurance that’s inspired by hope in Jesus.
  • Listen to this episode of Real Hope in the player above or wherever you get your podcasts.

What do you think of when you hear the word ‘hope’?

Is it something you use to describe your wishful thinking? 

I hope tomorrow is a fine day, or is it something more substantial?

The hope the Bible encourages us to have is not wishful thinking but rather a hope that leads us to trust in God.

I am so thankful that I can find ‘peace that passes all understanding’ as I lean into the love of God and His faithfulness.

The hope the Bible encourages us to have is not wishful thinking but rather a hope that leads us to trust in God.

This hope changes the way we live.

Our trust in God’s faithfulness leads us to work and labour with loving endurance that’s inspired by hope in Jesus.

I’ve been inspired by the hope in God I’ve seen in ordinary people who’ve lived through some of the most difficult experiences of life with love.

A wife whose husband became a quadriplegic through a car accident.

A mother whose child died.

Our trust in God’s faithfulness leads us to work and labour with loving endurance that’s inspired by hope in Jesus.

A man whose wife died of cancer.

I could list more.

Ordinary people like you and me who endured hardships yet put their hope in the love of God.

All of these people have gone on to live inspiring lives.

The wife and husband have inspired others with disabilities to live full lives.

Listen to this episode of Real Hope in the player above or wherever you get your podcasts.

The mother inspired a support group and research into the disease that caused her child’s death.

The man is raising his children and seeking the help he needs.

May our faith, love and hope in our Lord Jesus Christ help us all to live inspirational lives!

Listen to this episode of Real Hope | The Podcast in the player above or wherever you get your podcasts.


Subscribe to the YouVersion plan or listen to Real Hope | The Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.


Feature image: Photo by CanvaPro

Devotion written by Kath Henry (originally published as ‘Hope’ on 13 September 2023).


Get daily encouragement delivered straight to your inbox

Writers from our Real Hope community offer valuable wisdom and insights based on their own experiences!

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Subscribe + stay connected with all
our latest stories

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.