Hope contains three parts in its definition First, it’s future. We don’t hope for what we already have; it’s something in the future for which we hope. Second, it’s positive. It isn’t a negative we hope for, but something beneficial, desirable, positive. The third part will probably come as a surprise. It’s certain. We don’t think of hope as being certain, but rather something that may or may not get; we use it more like the word wish.
First Corinthians, chapter thirteen describes agape-love. One of its descriptions of agape-love is that it always hopes. To me, that means that loving someone with unconditional love – agape-love – means that we always believe in them.
For someone to believe so strongly in their spouse is very energizing for them, and I can speak from experience, gives them a confidence that’s practically superhuman.
As I say, I’ve known the benefits of a wife who hopes in me. If I’m considering tackling something challenging, she encourages me to go for it; if I’m contemplating bailing out on something difficult, she urges me to stick with it because she believes I can succeed in it.
When I fail, she’s surprised; when I succeed, she’s not.
Every married person has the need for their spouse to believe in them. And it produces the kind of energy that takes risks and works hard to achieve worthwhile accomplishments that benefit the marriage and the whole family.
So, I encourage spouses everywhere to do their best to always believe in their spouse. We all need it.