Darwin – True, true “Hope never requires action.” Which is exactly why hope on its own is so dangerous. It is the expectation that someone OUTSIDE yourself will save you. Even God doesn’t expect us to sit around and “hope” he shows up. If you are capable of helping yourself, he expects you to take some type of action to back up that hope.

I totally agree that hope should be released. I see hope as a passive thing that makes us feel better for a short period of time.

Faith is required but the most important is action. As in, Faith without works is dead. Hope never requires action.

Never hear anybody say things like, “I hoped my way to health”, “I hope my way to wealth,” “I hoped my way to marrying my soulmate,” or “I hoped my way to live in O’ahu Hawa’ii”.

It is right to give up hope and pick up action.

Good post.

When I was reading this, I was mentally interchanging hope with fear. If you live in fear, you’re blinded by that fear without the faith that it is in your power to overcome it. If you live in hope, you’re blinded in the idea that the problem will take care of itself. I heard a quote somewhere – “Faith and Fear cannot exist in the heart at the same time.” And with this I learned that “FAITH” can clear even the murkiest haze of being passively hopeful or passively fearful.

Bottom line, I choose Faith!

Re: Hope playing a role, I’ll refer to Alejandro’s comments above. He hit the mark on this point:

”Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not yet seen.”

“Substance” comes from the world “Hupostasis,” which literally means, assurance & confidence.” So faith is that ‘assurance/confidence’ in what you’ve hoped for. The problem is, people are having the faith in the wrong things, the wrong people, and for sure not in themselves.

As far as the Revlon example, there was a basis for hope there. They make a product, that when used properly, will make a woman more attractive.

The key here once again is that hope (in what will be gained), is backed by a solid product (the lipstick). But the key is having enough faith to buy the product (action #1) and actually use it (action #2), and get guidance on how to use it better (action #3).

The hole in the strategy for the Obama campaign is that “hope” is tied to “change” and faith in a “savior.” It’s powerful for the unthinking masses. But the fact is there is no action plan for believers to help make a change other than put all hope in a “savior.” I believe that is called dependency, not hope.

So where does that leave us as marketers? If we don’t cling to hope ourselves, do we then turn around and sucker our customers into buying hope? “Buy my product and reach all your dreams.”

If so, let’s hope they don’t get hold of this article! LOL

I value your reaction to this.

Deb Gallardo

Hope has its place, but if I’m hearing you correctly, it’s where most people stop, instead of moving on into faith. Where this action fits in with love, is probably highly individual, yet it’s called “the greatest of these.”

I’m not sure it’s as simple as “loving what we do.” More likely, at least in this context, it’s a matter of taking action motivated by love of something greater than ourselves.

I don’t think this subject is one that can be summarized in a single article and definitely not a comment. But you did a brilliant job of shifting our focus from only hoping to having faith. In other words BELIEVING, knowing with certainty, and living a life that demonstrates that faith – never wavering, never doubting.

Powerful. Thank you.

Deb Gallardo