Former U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords suffered severe brain injuries when she was shot in the head in 2011. Since then she has become known for great “resilience in the face of crisis.” Quoted in a news interview the recovering Giffords said, “I’m still fighting to make the world a better place, and you can too. Be passionate. Be courageous. Be your best.”

This led me to ponder what it is that allows some people to be so resilient in the face of crisis, suffering, and torturous pain, while others succumb to despair, depression and hopelessness. Certainly, some folks seem naturally dispositioned to be positive people, to look at the bright side, to look at problems as opportunities, and stumbling blocks as stepping-stones. You may have heard the old tale of a young boy being evaluated by a group of psychologists. In a room filled with manure, the boy was absolutely giddy, tossing the stuff up in the air. When they asked him why he was so happy, he replied, “With all this manure, there’s bound to be a horsey in here somewhere!”

Others, not so naturally inclined, have disciplined themselves with such a positive and hopeful outlook. This is something we all can (and should) do. Life becomes better for us and for those around us. Many who are most diligent in this area find that what started as a discipline or chore, later became a natural response. Given a choice between hope and despair, why not choose hope?

Real hope, of course, goes beyond a wish or desire. I could wish to discover how to turn lead into gold. I could desire a fulfilling life. But unless wishes and desires are based on something real, they are not likely to come to fruition. Real hope is based on a firm expectation that things will work out for good in the end. Real hope is a foundation for a better life and is itself founded on that which is always true.

My hope is based on the promises of God. While I knew them to be true before my cancer, the long journey to recovery has been filled with experiencing that truth. Real hope is based on a faith that what we cannot presently see, but is actually completely true and real, not just in the future, but in our present experience. It doesn’t deny pain or sorrow nor pretend them away. But real hope, the stuff that mature faith is made of, provides a resilience toward life that is not commonly found.

Like the boy in the room full of manure, we have a choice at how we respond to life’s difficulties. Real hope based on a maturing faith makes that choice so much easier.

Have hope and share the reason for your hope with those who listen.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.”
Proverbs 3:5-6