The Daily: Wednesday December 3, 2025

"Optimism and hope are not the same. Optimism is the belief that the world is changing for the better; hope is the belief that, together, we can make the world better."
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

Hope That Wrestles

There's a crucial difference between hope and optimism that can change everything about how we navigate difficult seasons. Optimism simply expects things will get better - it's passive and often naive. But hope? Hope realizes that together we can make things better. Hope is active, engaged, and realistic about the work ahead.

True hope doesn't deny reality or put on a fake smile. It wrestles with hard questions and stands in the rubble of broken dreams, insisting that another world is possible. Hope isn't toxic positivity that dismisses pain. It's not even the opposite of despair - sometimes hope and despair sit side by side in the same heart, and that's okay.

This kind of hope is what sustained Zechariah through years of unanswered prayers and national upheaval. It's what enabled Mary to say yes to an impossible invitation. It's what allows us to keep believing that God is at work even when we can't see the full picture. Hope doesn't guarantee outcomes, but it does guarantee that we're not alone in the work of healing and restoration.

Reflection Question
In what area of your life do you need to shift from passive optimism to active hope - where could you partner with God and others to make things better?

Prayer
God, give me hope that wrestles with reality while still believing in your goodness. Help me to be part of the solution, working alongside you and others to bring healing and restoration to our broken world. Amen.