In last week’s post, I mentioned that hope stood out as one of the themes shared during a service at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This insight could not have been timelier, as December 1st marked the first Sunday of Advent—a season traditionally focused on hope, joy, peace, and love. Over the coming weeks, I’ll be exploring these four themes. Let’s begin with hope, a virtue often elusive when life’s storms rage around us.
Hope and Advent: A Season of Expectation
Advent is a season of waiting—waiting for the arrival of Christ. It’s a time filled with anticipation, reminding us that we can trust God’s promises no matter how dark or uncertain our circumstances feel. Hope is like a steady anchor, holding us firm as the winds of doubt and discouragement blow through our lives. It’s not a shallow optimism but a profound confidence that God is who He says He is and that He will fulfil His Word in His perfect timing.
Reframing Faith: Confidence and Assurance
In last week’s post, hope was a central theme at the church service I attended. This directly set the stage for the Advent journey. Reflecting on Hebrews 11:1, I noticed how different translations of the Bible highlight subtle nuances. The NIV says, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see,” the KJV phrases it as, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Both share the same truth, yet the words “confidence” and “assurance” jump out and invite us to see faith not as wishful thinking but as a grounded, unwavering trust in God’s promises.
Hope flourishes in this environment of faith. Where there is genuine faith, hope takes root. It is nurtured by confidence and watered by assurance that God’s plan stands secure, even when our physical eyes can’t see the outcome.
Doubt vs. Confidence: The Battle for Our Focus
A few days before I revisited Hebrews 11:1, I encountered a thought-provoking interpretation of why Peter began to sink while walking on water. We commonly say it’s because he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the storm. But the reminder in that video was that Jesus specifically asked Peter, “Why did you doubt?” Doubt—not just distraction—was the core issue.
Doubt is the opposite of confidence. It comes in many forms: insecurity, fear, and worry. It feeds on uncertainty and tries to convince us that we’re not enough, that God won’t show up, and that the storms are too big to overcome. When we listen to doubt, we shift our gaze from the Savior before us to the waves rolling beneath us. The moment we entertain these lies, we start sinking. Not because Christ is absent but because we’ve let go of hope and faith—our lifelines.
What We Think Shapes Who We Become
Scripture reminds us that as we think, so we become (Proverbs 23:7). When we allow unresolved pain to shape our perspective, accountability can feel like judgment, correction feels like an attack, and compliments breed suspicion. Unaddressed pain and deception go hand-in-hand, closing our eyes to God’s truth.
Doubt uses the storms of life to sway our thinking, leading us to believe that stepping out in faith is futile. But here’s the paradox: the miracles of God don’t happen in the boat of our comfort or certainty. Much like Peter, we must step out onto the water for miracles to occur. True breakthroughs often come when we leave the safety of the shore and trust God’s leading, even if it means standing on seemingly impossible ground.
Hope as a Shield Against Discouragement
During Advent, we remember Christ stepping into our world, fulfilling prophecies and bringing a hope that transcends every circumstance. This truth stands firm whether we’re facing financial hardship, relational struggles, or spiritual dryness. Hope doesn’t deny that challenges exist; it simply refuses to be defined by them. Instead, it reminds us that God’s faithfulness is never in question and that every difficulty is an opportunity to see Him work.
Doubt wants us to mistake the temporary storm for a permanent defeat. But hope, anchored in faith, declares that the storm will pass and God’s goodness will remain. As the saying goes, “Worry is a down payment on a problem you may never have.” Hope teaches us to pay into God’s promises instead of the enemy’s lies, letting faith shape our outlook rather than fear.
Choosing Faith Over Doubt
We can’t always control our circumstances, but we can control our response. Faith is a choice, just as much as doubt is. Faith chooses to believe that God’s character is trustworthy. Hope springs from faith’s decision to trust His timing and purpose. Together, they help us see beyond the storm to the One who calms it with a word.
As we reflect on hope this Advent season, remember that faith is our confidence, and hope is our assurance. God has never failed His people and won’t start with us. Our part is to refuse doubt’s nagging lies and choose to trust in the God who never wavers.
Reflection Questions:
- In what areas have you struggled with doubt instead of hope?
- How can you practice shifting your focus from life’s storms back to Jesus this Advent season?
- What’s one practical step you can take today to nurture confidence and assurance in God’s promises?
Call to Action:
This week, pray asking God to help you identify areas of doubt in your heart. Invite Him to replace them with confidence and assurance. Write a journal entry about a storm you’re currently facing, and write down a Scripture that reminds you of God’s faithfulness. Let hope, not doubt, shape your perspective as we journey through Advent together.
Until next time,
Abby
Authentically Abby 