Julie Fillinger

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Introduction: My Journey with Hope  

Hope has become one of my favorite topics to explore. When I think about hope, memories of childhood wishes come to mind—like blowing out birthday candles and eagerly tearing into presents, believing that my wish might magically appear. But as I grew older, my wishes changed. Instead of longing for a teddy bear, I wished for something far deeper: to hear my loved one’s voice one more time. The reality that wishes don’t always come true hit me hard, especially as I faced the loss of my father, the original #girldad, who taught me so much and made me feel protected and cherished.  

Grief and Thankfulness  

Today marks the anniversary of my daddy’s departure from earth. Some call it death, but I believe he is more alive than ever in the presence of Jesus. My parents had come to Alabama to celebrate my birthday but left early because my daddy wasn’t feeling well. On their way home, they were in a car crash. For years, I struggled with guilt, as if I had control over the number of days God gave him. Thankfulness became my anchor, especially when I considered what God did to secure eternal life for His children. I am so grateful for the hope of seeing my daddy again and spending eternity together. 

Understanding Biblical Hope  

Biblical hope is not just making a wish or hoping for a cheery outcome. It is a belief in an outcome that is certain—a conviction that good will prevail even when things are bad. This hope relies on the truth that God is good, just, loving, and holy, and that He will be faithful to keep His promises. My hope is unshakable because it is rooted in God’s character. 

Facing Hopelessness  

Before I learned what real biblical hope is, I knew what it was like to feel hopeless and helpless. The hardest things I’ve endured are related to grief, but I know others face different traumas. Suffering often leads to a sense of hopelessness, and that’s where we find common ground. Losing my daddy was devastating, but nothing prepared me for the anguish of losing my son Nicholas. Each year, as the anniversary approached, I relived the event, hoping for a different outcome. My head knew the truth, but my heart refused to accept it. 

A Turning Point in Grief  

A few weeks before the ninth anniversary of Nicholas’s death, I cried out to God once again. This time, something changed—the heavy cloud of grief lifted. I could laugh, wear bright colors, and breathe freely. It felt as if God was saying He kept me under the weight of suffering for a purpose, and now I was being released. Suffering produced endurance, endurance produced character, and character produced hope. When God’s timing was right, He used the work He did in me to encourage others. 

The Source of Hope  

Why can I rejoice in suffering? Because hope does not disappoint. The source of this hope is God’s character. David says in Psalm 33:17-22 that we cannot trust in manmade things or our own abilities to save us. Only God’s steadfast love can rescue us. Fearing God and hoping in His love are linked together. We wait with eager expectation for deliverance, trusting God to protect and provide. 

Abraham: A Model of Hope  

Father Abraham is an example of hope. He waited a long time for God’s promise of a son. Sometimes he strayed, but God held him accountable and ultimately fulfilled His promise. When Abraham was asked to sacrifice Isaac, he trusted that God would provide. Hebrews 11 tells us Abraham believed God could revive Isaac from the dead, even though no one had ever been revived before. Romans 4 says Abraham hoped against hope, giving God the glory and being fully assured that what God promised, He was able to perform. This faith is credited to all who believe in God’s promises. 

The Process of Hope  

There are no shortcuts to hope. It is the result of a persistent journey through suffering and endurance. Suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces unshakable hope. Nothing is too difficult for the Lord, and He will provide. As a child of God, I have hope for future glory—a desire to glorify and worship Him. The glimpses of glory we experience now are just a taste of what is to come. 

The Resurrection: The Basis for Hope  

1 Corinthians 15 tells us the reason for hope is the resurrection. Without it, there is no faith or hope. The world says our faith is a crutch, but because of the resurrection, we have a true and better hope. God’s mercy caused me to be reborn to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. My inheritance is protected by His power, and I live with the expectation that what awaits far outweighs any suffering I endure. 

The Difference Between Worldly and Christian Hope  

The world’s hope is based on man’s ability, which always falls short. Even with the best intentions, there are no guarantees. The guaranteed inheritance of every child of God is the reward in heaven, sealed by the Holy Spirit. Our hope is based on entrusting our souls to the One who created us and guarantees our eternity. 

Heaven: The Ultimate Fulfillment  

When bad things happen, it can feel like hope is misplaced, but maybe our view of God is impoverished. I wanted Nicholas to experience all the best this world had to offer, but God had a different plan—an everlasting life in heaven. Is heaven better than earthly achievements? Yes! Once I believed that heaven is more glorious than anything on earth, I started to accept God’s plan for my loved ones. God created everything here to give us a picture of the glory that awaits. 

Living with Unshakable Hope  

I can live today with the realization that my eternal life has already begun. I believe we should stop saying our loved ones who went to be with Jesus are dead—they are more alive than ever. They are cheering us on to victory. The question is, as long as I live here on this earth, will I keep believing God can be trusted to keep His promises? That is my unshakable hope. 

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