The Hopeful Heart

by John R. Claypool

Hope is to the human spirit what breath is to the physical body―the very fuel that animates our being. So says best-selling author John Claypool. But with hopefulness comes the possibility of disappointment. How can we hope and yet be realistic about what we hope for? What is a hope that doesn’t disappoint? In his inimitable pastoral and gentle way, Claypool explores biblically based avenues to hopefulness. Beginning with what we can and cannot know of God's promises, he discusses the value of humility in the face of the Great Mystery that is God. Claypool then examines what we can expect by letting God be God, and he looks at the place of forgiveness and second chances in seeking hope. His conclusion addresses the greatest hope, that of the life to come beyond the grave. This very personal book, written without theological jargon, will be a welcome companion to anyone who is struggling with disappointment, fear, or loss.

Genres: Spirituality

Hardcover

First published July 1, 2003

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

"What breath is to the body, hope is to the human spirit"

[Laurie Haff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful and inspiring short easy read!

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely book

[Sue Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, faith and HOPE

Such a concise exploration of hope in true Christian context, where love is watering the root and stem. Thank you.

[Georgia Herod · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despair is presumptuous.
Why? Because as long as we have breath, we have life.

Hope is absolutely essential for life. "What breath is to the physical body, hope is to the human spirit. Hope is what animates us. It is the fuel that energizes us, gets us up in the morning, and propels us through the day."

John Claypool draws on his own experience with hope--and helps readers understand the value of hope as we face the difficulties of life. This is a powerful meditation drawn from his own life.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book at a garage sale and finally began reading it when I realized that my own hopeful heart seemed to be getting me in to a bit of trouble. It seemed I was TOO imaginative, a little too creative and optimistic about what delights the world may bring me. The ideas created in my brain rarely became reality, and because of it, I was often sad or disappointed by something which was not even necessarily a realistic option. I assumed the way to avoid this unecessary pain/disappointment was simply to not have expectations, to not hope for things.. but I didn't want to be a calloused, crotchety old lady, either. So I thought maybe this book could help me have a better balance.
It did not solve my problems, as books rarely do, but it did give me an expanded perspective. The thing I most took away from it, I think, was that the reason I was actually disappointed so often was not because I had been hopeful, but because when my expectations weren't met I was responding, not with hopeful optimism beyond that, but with despair. This quote was particularly helpful.

"Humanly speaking, despair is presumptuous. It is saying something about the future that we have no right to say because we have not been there yet and do not know enough. Think of the times you have been surprised in the past as you looked at a certain situation and deemed it hopeless. Then, lo and behold, forces that you did not even realize existed broke in and changed everything. We do not know enough to embrace the absolutism of despair and, theologically speaking, despair is downright heretical. If God can create the things that are from the things that are not, and even make dead things come back to life, who are we to set limits on what that kind of potency may yet do?"


Ah! So true, convicting, and encouraging! Why do we waste so much time fearing, despairing over a future that may never come? And even beyond that- Do we not believe that, even if every possession and dear one were to leave us, God's love alone would be strong enough to sustain us? This book helped me remember that every day is a blessing. Nothing beyond God's faithfulness is guaranteed, everything else is just a beautiful bonus to be thankful for.

[Joe Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

The little book is wisdom from a sage who learned it the hard way. John Claypool includes some of the best stories ever told.

There is much mystery in this world, even for the faithful. Humans lack the perception to know whether an event is "good luck" or "bad luck." God is always at work, moving us toward hope. Hope makes sense when we contemplate God's ways and words, in fact the only unforgivable sin is despair.

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting book. John Claypool, an Episcopal priest, writes about hope. When we are hopeful we must be prepared to deal with disappoinment; but the way to minimize that is to set realistic expectations.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tremendous small book on hope in the face of difficulty & grief... will definitely read this again.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book I’ll reread someday. To the point and clearly written.