Have you ever misplaced something important?
I’m not talking about socks. We’ve all got that lonely bag of mismatched socks, the ones lost forever in the black hole known as the laundry machine. No big deal…
But I mean something that actually matters: your phone, your keys, your wallet. Or in my case the other day, my glasses! Right as I was walking out the door for work, they were gone.
If you don’t wear glasses, you might not understand the level of helplessness that sets in. You’re like a blind cat trying to hunt, stumbling, squinting, mildly panicking. I did what you typically do in this situation, I retraced every step, scanned every surface, interrogated innocent family members, “Are you sure you didn’t move them?”, only to find them… sitting in the most random place. Classic!
Because I had misplaced them, I wasted my morning searching in all the wrong places.
That’s exactly how many of us treat hope. We misplace it. And when we do, we end up anxious, disappointed, and spiritually nearsighted, searching around for clarity that never comes.
Misplaced Hope
Hope is essential to human existence. We all need something to look forward to, something to carry us through trials and uncertainty. But where we place that hope makes all the difference. When our hope is misplaced, it leaves us searching in all the wrong places.
Here are three common places where we misplace hope and why none of them are enough.
1. Hope in Stuff
Many people put their hope in what they have. Money. Homes. Retirement accounts. Promotions. Possessions that promise peace and security. Until… the market crashes, the car breaks down, or that leaking pipe you ignored floods the house (true story).
We live in a culture of accumulation: more = better = security. But the truth is, material things are temporary. They’re helpful but fragile, comforting but unreliable. Paul warned against this false security when he wrote:
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God.” 1 Timothy 6:17 (NIV)
Stuff doesn’t last. God does.
2. Hope in People
Another easy place to misplace hope is in other people. We long for relationships to fix us, romantic, family, friends, even political.
“If I can just find the right spouse…”
“If I had better friends…”
“If this next leader wins, things will finally turn around…”
Relationships are a gift, and leaders can make a difference. But people are fallible. Even the best among us fail, forget, or fall short. That’s why the Psalmist wrote:
“Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save… Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God.” Psalm 146:3, 5 (NIV)
No person can carry the full weight of your soul’s hope. Only God can.
3. Hope in Self
Maybe you’re thinking, “Okay, I don’t trust stuff or people, I trust me.” That’s the message of our culture: Believe in yourself. You are enough. Just grind harder. Think positive. Love yourself more.
Now, discipline and self-awareness are good. But you were never meant to be your own savior. We’re limited, weak, and, let’s be honest, sometimes we’re the ones making a mess of our lives. That’s why Scripture says:
“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 (NIV)
Hope built on self will crack. Hope built on God will last.
Hope Reimagined: A Biblical Perspective
So, what does real, lasting hope look like?
It’s not a vague optimism, positive thinking, or emotional high. It’s not tied to temporary circumstances. The Bible gives us a clearer picture:
“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him.” Romans 15:13 (NLT)
God is the source of hope. Hope isn’t something we muster, it’s someone we trust. Hope in God is rooted in his character, anchored in his promises, and built on his faithfulness. It’s not wishful thinking, it’s concrete confidence.
“We who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence… This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.” Hebrews 6:18–19 (NLT)
So What Does Hope in God Look Like?
Let’s finish with one more passage from Isaiah 40:31 and pull three final truths out of it:
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
1. Hope in the Lord Strengthens Us for the Present
“…will renew their strength…”
When we place our hope in the Lord, He restores what life drains. God gives strength not just to survive, but to endure with confidence.
2. Hope in the Lord Lifts Us Above Circumstances
“…they will soar on wings like eagles…”
Hope in God gives us a higher perspective. Like eagles rising above the storm, we see beyond our struggles and trust God’s bigger plan.
3. Hope in the Lord Directs Our Future
“…they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Whether we’re running through challenges or walking through valleys, God’s hope gives us daily strength to keep moving forward.
Finally: Let Hope Overflow
Let’s return to where I started, with Romans 15:13:
“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Hope in God isn’t just for you. When your life is anchored in Him, hope overflows. It spills into your family, your friendships, your workplace.
It’s the kind of hope that strengthens, lifts, and guides, because it’s rooted in the only One who never fails.
So if you’ve misplaced your hope lately, maybe it’s time to look in the right place.
Hope has a name and His name is Jesus.
Photo by The Prototype on Unsplash
