Sometimes our issue is not that we are unwilling to hope, but that we are afraid when we do hope it will be cut off.  We will boldly go all in, only to find our hope was misplaced, and we are fools left with nothing.  Honestly, the idea of a “future hope” can feel recklessly idealistic in our hardest moments.

Proverbs promises a lasting hope, and tells us how to access it: find wisdom.  Knowledge is the gathering of information, wisdom is knowing what to do with it.  The problem is, both are found outside ourselves, and while knowledge can be found in books and videos, wisdom is a bit trickier.

Verse 13 says that honey is good, especially straight from the comb.  Honey enthusiasts will be quick to tell you that local honey — straight from the source — is far superior to store-bought for a myriad of reasons.  In the same way, wisdom straight from the source — God — is far superior to any earthly wisdom.  If you find it, you will discover hope… but how do you find it?

James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”  We do not have to go on a treasure hunt, you need simply ask, believing God will follow through.  I encourage you to be willing to start small, asking not for wisdom for your entire struggle, but simply for today.