Unlock practical steps to REVEAL your confident hope—build resilience, strengthen faith, and live boldly with purpose. Show your hope is real with practical steps, habits, and stories. Learn how to live hope daily, inspire others, and stay resilient when life is hard.
Trevor H. Lund is the founder of Live LIGHT Academy at LiveLight.ca with books, challenges and courses to help you not conform by be transformed. As the Storyteller-in-Residence at the Cascade Chalet https://revtrev.com/chalet, he crafts unique narratives and immersive experiences. Dive into his creative projects at https://revtrev.com, watch past videos and livecasts at https://revtrev.com/tv, and subscribe to his podcast at https://revtrev.com/radio or your favourite platform.
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Know How to Show your Hope is Real
Romans 12:9-21 NLT Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong, hold tight to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honouring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honourable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
Can I pray?
Problem
Last time I told you I think that hope is seen in hurt. And that I feel that’s at somewhat at odds with what Peter told the scattered church: “In your heart set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer for the hope you have, but do this with gentleness and respect.” —because we hide our hurts in our society and only share them with people we know and trust.
You see I know that the God of all hope fills me with peace and joy as I trust in Him, so I can overflow with hope by the power of Holy Spirit.
People can see my peace and will comment about my joy but have never had anyone ask me about my hope—except when they ask me about Jesus, who is my hope.
What About Confident Hope?
But I was reading the verses above and Paul tells us to “rejoice in our confident hope.”
And I made me realize that I can see confident hope in others—confident hope is what others see in us.
Confident hope is unshakable hope. It’s hope that keeps hoping despite the circumstance or diagnosis. Confident hope has no fear of bad news, even when it comes.
It’s not forced hope —not plastic Christianity. Confident hope is not “putting on a mask and pretending everything is great”. It’s not spouting cliches—that are more to convince yourself than comfort others.
I know I can see confident hope in others.
And then I had two thoughts.
1. What does that Bible actually say confident hope looks like like?
2. But what if when we have confident hope we make make hope visible and what if When we make our hope visible, we actually make it believable
So I decided to do some research on what confident hope can look like in us. This should help us to see hope in each other.
Nine P’s of Confident Hope
1. Peaceful demeanour instead of panic
2. Perseverance under trials
3. Persuading others with joy
4. Patient endurance through difficulty
5. Persistence in Prayer
6. Pursuing God’s promises
7. Providing generously to others
8. Peace amid fear or uncertainty
9. Perspective-shifted View of Death
1. Peaceful demeanour instead of panic
What confident hope looks like: calm trust rather than frantic worry; steady joy and peace because we expect God to act.
Romans 15:13 NIVUK — May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Isaiah 26:3 NLT You will keep in perfect peace, all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
As we trust in God we overflow with joy and hope and peace.
If absent, we mirror the world’s anxiety, weakening our witness to God’s steady care (Isaiah 26:3; John 14:27).
A question you can ask if you wonder if people can see your hope is:
When I face a need, do I wait on God to help me or do I take it all on myself?
2. Perseverance under trials
What confident hope looks like: people endure hardship without giving up; they view trials as a process that builds character and look forward to God’s purposes.
Romans 5:3–5 NLT We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
If missing, we quit or grow bitter under pressure, suggesting Christ doesn’t sustain (Romans 5:3–5; James 1:2–4).
A question you can ask if you wonder if people can see your hope is:
When I experience difficulty, do I keep going trusting God, or do I give up or lose heart? Can I exchange my problems for His peace?
3. Persuading others with joy
What confident hope looks like: noticeable joy and optimism in daily life; they are upbeat about God’s work and future.
Proverbs 10:28 HCSB The hope of the righteous is joy, but the expectation of the wicked comes to nothing.
Romans 12:12 Be joyful in confident hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Without visible joy, our message feels hollow or heavy, not “good news” that attracts (Romans 15:13; Psalm 34:5).
A question you can ask if you wonder if people can see your hope is:
Do people comment on my joy?
4. Patient endurance through difficulty
What confident hope looks like:patient waiting rather than despair or frantic attempts to control everything.
Psalm 33:20–22 NLT We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.
Lacking patience, we grasp at shortcuts and compromise integrity, dimming God’s timing and faithfulness (Psalm 27:14; Galatians 6:9).
A question you can ask if you wonder if people can see your hope is:
When answers are delayed, do I wait calmly and seek His assurances or do I rush, worry, or try to force outcomes?
5. Persistence in Prayer
What confident hope looks like: people regularly turn to God in persistent prayer, remembering his faithfulness as the basis for hope.
Psalm 130:5–6 NIVUK I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.
If prayer fades, self-reliance grows; we lose peace, guidance, and power, and others don’t learn to turn to God (Philippians 4:6–7; Luke 18:1).
A question you can ask if you wonder if people can see your hope is:
Is my first response to worry or to pray?
Don’t be too hard on yourself if this hits…Remember Psalm 56:3-4
But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me? Psalm 56:3-4
6. Pursuing God’s promises
What confident hope looks like: values and priorities shaped by eternal promises rather than circumstances.
Psalm 119:49–50 NIVUK Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope. My comfort in my suffering is this: your promise preserves my life.
Lamentations 3:21–24 NIVUK Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.’
When you need to know God cares for you read Lamentations 3…read 1-3 and wait for 3:21.
If we stop seeking and living by his word, we drift to cultural scripts, and people don’t see Scripture shaping real life (Psalm 119:49–50; Hebrews 10:23).
A question you can ask if you wonder if people can see your hope is:
Do I believe God or my current reality? Do I believe God can transform my current reality to get to his promise?
7. Providing generously to others
What confident hope looks like: hope fuels sacrificial service, kindness, and a desire to reflect Christ.
1 Timothy 6:17–18 NIVUK 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, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
Without generous service, our faith looks theoretical; needs go unmet and the gospel’s love isn’t embodied (2 Corinthians 9:7–8; 1 John 3:17–18).
A question you can ask if you wonder if people can see your hope is:
Does my hope lead me to do good and be rich in good deed and be generous and willing to share?
8. Peace amid fear or uncertainty
What confident hope looks like: renewed strength and calm confidence even when circumstances are hard.
Isaiah 40:31 NIVUK Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 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.
If we react like everyone else, our distinct confidence in God being God is invisible (John 16:33; Psalm 56:3–4).
A question you can ask if you wonder if people can see your hope is:
In a moment of fear or uncertainty, do I wait on God to be renewed?
9. Perspective-shifted View of Death
What confident hope looks like: reduced fear of death; comfort and assurance about life beyond this world.
1 Thessalonians 4:13–14 NIVUK Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
If we fear death like those “without hope,” we undercut the resurrection message (1 Thessalonians 4:13–14; 1 Corinthians 15:54–58).
A question you can ask if you wonder if people can see your hope is:
Do people know if I don’t fear death?
Does this really matter?
Yes. Because confident hope is visible hope and when we make our hope visible, we make it believable.
Without confident hope:
Our witness weakens: People don’t ask about the hope within (1 Peter 3:15).
Our community suffers: Less encouragement, prayer, generosity, and resilience.
Our hearts waver: Anxiety, compromise, and despair creep in when hope isn’t practiced.
Confident Hope is our Identification
Biblically, being known for confident hope is part of our Christian witness.
Identity marker
1 Peter 3:15 calls believers to be ready to give a reason “for the hope that is in you.” That assumes others notice it.
Distinct from despair
1 Thessalonians 4:13 says we don’t grieve “as others do who have no hope.” Our different response to loss is a testimony.
Sign of the gospel’s power:
Romans 5:2–5 shows how hope grows through trials and “does not put us to shame” because of God’s love. Hope under pressure points beyond ourselves to Christ.
Community impact:
Titus 2:11–13 and Hebrews 10:23–24 link hope in Christ’s appearing with zealous good works and mutual encouragement—hope fuels visible lives of love.
Missional draw:
Colossians 1:27 describes “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” When that hope is seen, it invites questions and opens doors for the message. We can give an answer for a reason for our hope.
In short: hope is not private. Hope needs to be confident. Make your hope visible and it will be believable. Get Confident hope.
Confident hope is meant to be evident in our endurance, peace, generosity, and words—so that people see Christ’s faithfulness and are drawn to him.
Imagine
What would it be like to have people ask you about the hope that you have? How would it feel for you to have someone asks you for your peace? It’s absolutely fun when someone says you have too much joy for your situation.
How do you make your hope visible so it will be believable?
How do you have confident hope?
That’s a great question, I’m so glad you asked.
I’ve developed the REVEAL Your Confident Hope Tool to help us do that.
I use REVEAL as the acronym to help you practically and visibly share your confident hope with others.
R – Remember Joy
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” — Philippians 4:4
Smile at three people today and ask how their day is going. I’m not talking about faking a smile.
It’s making space to find your joy. Don’t know where to you left it? When did you stop trusting him?
Reflection Question:
Did my attitude today reflect the joy I have in Christ, even in small interactions?
E – Engage with Kindness
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” — Ephesians 4:32
Be Kind Conversation Strategy
In the first 30 seconds of a conversation, genuinely compliment, uplift or encourage the person. You want to say something that adds to what the other person feels. “I heard you did a really good job when you…” “You picked a really good restaurant, I’m excited to try it.” https://revtrev.link/fast
They have to be genuine thoughts otherwise your delivery will be forced. Try asking Holy Spirit “Show me what you love about this person.” And share what you notice.
It’s the kindness of God that leads us to repentance. Romans 2:4
Reflection Question:
Was I intentional in showing kindness today, especially when it was inconvenient?
V – Voice Gratitude
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Tell a friend or coworker something specific you’re grateful for today. Remember to give thanks with your whole heart - Decide to give thanks, Feel Gratitude and Show Appreciation. When you voice gratitude, you’re showing appreciation. https://revtrev.link/thanks/
Ask Holy Spirit what he wants you feel gratitude for this person for. Feel gratitude and tell them what you appreciate about them.
Reflection Question:
Did I express gratitude verbally today, or did I take my blessings for granted?
E – Exhibit Peace
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” — Colossians 3:15
When feeling stressed, pause to and realize God is with you before responding. How does knowing…really knowing He is with you change your thinking patterns?
When you’re feeling stressed by someone else ask God what He loves about them. Assume everyone thinks they are on the side of good. So stay curious and look for what they hold as good.
Reflection Question:
Did I bring peace into tense situations today or add to the stress?
A – Act with Integrity
“In everything set them an example by doing what is good.” — Titus 2:7
To show confident hope you need to act with integrity. Hope comes from trusting God as you trust God you can walk with integrity knowing He will fight for your just cause so you don’t have to give up your peace so you can fight at their level.
Integrity is doing what’s right, even when no one is watching. It’s aligning actions, words, and inner values so they match; not living a double life. Choose honesty today, even in small matters where it would be easy to cut corners.
Reflection Question:
Were my actions today consistent with my beliefs and values?
L – Listen with Compassion
“Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” — James 1:19
Spend eight minutes listening to someone without interrupting or offering advice. Why eight minutes? It only takes that long for in a safe space for someone to self-express their thoughts, feelings and emotions without judgement, criticism or condemnation to feel seen and heard. https://revtrev.link/chalet
Everyone deserves to be seen and heard. “We listen and we don’t judge.”
Reflection Question:
Did I genuinely listen to others today, or was I more focused on being heard?
Will you grow your confident hope to make your hope visible so it will be believable?
R – Remember Joy Philippians 4:4
Did my attitude today reflect the joy I have in Christ, even in small interactions?
E – Engage with Kindness Ephesians 4:32
Was I intentional in showing kindness today, especially when it was inconvenient?
V – Voice Gratitude 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Did I express gratitude verbally today, or did I take my blessings for granted?
E – Exhibit Peace Colossians 3:15
Did I bring peace into tense situations today or add to the stress?
A – Act with Integrity Titus 2:7
Were my actions today consistent with my beliefs and values?
L – Listen with Compassion James 1:19
Did I genuinely listen to others today, or was I more focused on being heard?
Let’s spend some time listening to Holy Spirit. Let him remind you of the hope you have. Specifically today, ask Holy Spirit who he wants you to feel grateful for—it might be someone here, it will be someone in your everyday world. When he shows you, feel gratitude and decide how to show appreciation — remember to do it in a way that they’ll appreciate it is meant to be appreciation - A loud blessing too early in the morning can be considered a curse.
Develop this skill. It will serve you well.
Can I pray?
Lord we know that you—the God of all hope—fill us with peace and joy AS WE TRUST IN YOU so we can overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirt. Help us trust you more. In this place and at this time help us to trust you more and more so confident hope will arise.