Hope as a Catalyst: Understanding Its Impact on Healing
The world needs hope. It is a powerful word. Hope is like breath. It is oxygen to the soul.
Countless times, I have wondered why some people succumb to a debilitating disease or addiction and others in a similar situation find a way to rise out of the depth of illness and heal. I continue to question whether it comes down to the issue of hope. It seems to make sense since hope is looking to the future with assurance. It is an expectation that something good is going to happen. Without it, particularly during difficult times, we can easily spiral into disorientation and despair.
Hope in times of suffering, for the believer, lies in the understanding that we are not alone or abandoned, but rather, our pain serves a meaningful purpose. Since suffering has a purpose, then we can believe something good can come out of it. Hope then, is only as good as it’s source. It is not up to us to muster up hope from within. It is a gift from our creator.
Hope is how we are able to feel peace or joy despite suffering.
Does Hope Play a Role in Spontaneous Remissions?
What about true spontaneous remissions? In the medical arena, because we cannot explain it, we call this a “fluke” or we shrug our shoulders and write it off. The spiritually-minded may call it a miracle or spiritual healing.
There is a growing body of scientific research supporting the concept that our minds can play an important role in healing our bodies. But what about hope?
If hope is a reality that sustains us through despair, could hope be the unifying piece of the puzzle?
It simply cannot be that people who spontaneously recover from debilitating or terminal illnesses and thrive are flukes or anecdotes. Underlying principles must exist among these people and we should study them.
A Medicine of Hope and Possibility
Jeffery Rediger MD, Harvard Medical School trained, Psychiatrist in his Ted Talk, A Medicine of Hope and Possibility, states that “there are powers in your heart and in your mind that no medicine can touch.”
Speaking of people who overcome the odds of a serious, life-threatening illness he says, “something in us appears to benefit from experiencing that which is perfect, whole and complete within us. The gift of the disease is that it changes their relationship with themselves.”
Stories of remarkable recovery with sound evidence need a platform because these stories inspire people and people who are inspired overcome barriers and inspire more people to find and create their own pathways.
He encourages us to create a science of health, not just disease. We become what we focus on. Let us help others focus on creating a life of value, purpose and vitality based on what is right and great about them. In doing so we provide that essential hope and a pathway to experience what is whole and complete within them.
Exploring the Science Behind Hope and Its Empowering Influence
There is a robust science around hope and what we have learned is that hope is one of the single best predictors of well-being across the lifespan.
Hope can be measured. We cultivate hope like we learn to walk—one step at a time. It is neither a feeling or an emotion, but an internal belief or way of thinking. It is the belief that your future will be better than today and you have the power to make it so.
Dr Chan Hellman, psychologist and expert in abuse, homelessness and adversity, talks the about the simplicity of hope in his Ted Talk, “The Science and Power of Hope.” He teaches that hope is taking an action toward a goal. He emphasizes 3 points:
Goals: This is the cornerstone of hope.
Pathways: We must have the ability to identify routes toward goals and to find new pathways around obstacles if necessary; To problem solve.
Agency: This is the ability to sustain motivation to move along those pathways; willpower; perseverance especially in the presence of adversity.
What makes this strategy effective is that it is simple and accessible but you must have both the motivation and the pathways on how to get there. Envisioning a better future is essential in cultivating hope. Goals must be self-determined and not imposed by others.
We must always keep in mind that every step forward, no matter how small, is progress toward reaching the other side.
Hope is not Born in Isolation
Hope happens not in isolation but in relationship with others.
Dr. Rediger states that “our connectiveness with others is one of the single best predictors of hope”.
Human connection provides critical emotional support that enhances our capacity to navigate through suffering. Strong relationships provide a support system that encourages us to persevere during our darkest moments. It may even mean borrowing for a time some of the strength and hope of others who are walking alongside us.
Even more important is our connectiveness with something greater than ourselves.
Hope is a gift from the One who created us. Suffering will never have the final word. We know that nothing can threaten our ultimate safety. Our difficulties feel heavy but their weight is meant to drive us into deeper intimacy with Him, strengthening us, and anchoring us to His hope.
When we cling to His gift of hope, the “goal”, the cornerstone, becomes Him and His plan for our life. And His plan is leading us to complete restoration…. freedom, joy and wholeness. We can say then with boldness, based on God’s promises that the best is yet to come.
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Romans 5:3