Hope and Faith

How to Trust God and Take Action Guest Post by: Mercy Akhidenor Hope is not just a four-letter word, as many would know it to be; it's an action, a promise, and a gift to us as well: H – Holding


O – Onto


P – Personal (or Promised)


E – Expectations


Have you ever felt like your prayers were hitting a brick wall? You pray with everything in you, claim Scripture, and try to keep believing, yet nothing seems to shift. You’re left wondering: If I have faith, why isn’t anything changing?

The truth is, living a victorious Christian life requires more than just waiting on God; it takes a dynamic partnership between hope and faith, anchored by intentional, daily action. Hope isn't just an inert wish, a casual modern sentiment like "I hope it doesn't rain today," or a warm, fuzzy feeling. It is a vital spiritual anchor that keeps your faith burning bright when life gets heavy. We often use the word "hope" casually in modern language to imply uncertainty, such as "I hope I get that job."But in Scripture, hope means something completely different.

Hope, as Scripture defines it, is a confident, unwavering expectation grounded in the character, power, and active promises of God through Jesus Christ. It serves as the emotional and spiritual fuel for our journey; it’s one of the strong spiritual legs of every believer. While trials, past decisions, or deep hurts can leave us feeling wounded and exhausted, true hope reminds us that our current season is not our final destination.

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." — Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

Hope and faith are inseparable, twin pillars that complement and support each other like a married couple. Hope keeps faith burning; a believer cannot have faith without hope. Where faith comes short, hope empowers a believer's faith.

If faith is the muscle that moves mountains, hope is the heart that pumps life into that muscle. I liken their relationship to that of a candlestick and its flame: through hope, faith is generated, and thereby comes the light or manifestations of our expectations.

Scriptural leaders like Miriam, Moses, and Aaron were carriers of both faith and hope. Without faith, no man can please God (Hebrews 11:6). But without hope, it is almost impossible to re-fire faith when it becomes weak, weary, or discouraged.

This is the vital role hope plays in supporting and strengthening your faith: When faith grows weary, hope lifts your head, energizes you, and reminds you of God’s past faithfulness. When circumstances seem unbelievable or impossible, hope stamps God's possibilities onto your mind. When answers are delayed, hope places new garments of assurance in our hearts, keeping us patient while faith continues to stand.

Where faith short-circuits due to fear or discouragement, hope reignites the spark and prevents our faith from reaching the brink of being extinguished. No matter how frail hope may feel in difficult times, it cannot be killed.

As I mentioned earlier, a common question many believers ask is, "I have hope, and I’m praying constantly, but nothing seems to happen- why?" Now, hope is essential, but it was never designed to work in isolation. Consider a simple recipe: it does not take only oil and salt to make egusi soup (an African dish); you need water, leaves, and egusi seeds(most commonly referred to in English as Melon Seed Soup). And you need meat to make it a rich dish. Spirituality works much the same way; you need hope alongside other essential ingredients, specifically faith and work.

"In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."— James 2:17 (NIV)

God does not bless acquiescence, nor is He a forerunner of laxity or slumber. He values diligence, stewardship, and working with all one's might while maintaining hope and faith. Praying for a breakthrough without taking practical steps is like asking God to harvest a field you never planted. You cannot pass an exam if you only pray, hope, and sleep it off; you can only pass if you study right. Pray, exert effort, and hold onto faith and hope together. God cannot be mocked. Never forget.

Wherever your hope is, your faith will follow. That is why it is vital to align your hopes with God's will and purpose for your life. But this raises a crucial question: How do we bridge the gap between expecting God's promises and actively preparing for them? I want to share three practical ways you can begin to walk out your faith in action.

First, prepare and put effort into what you’re praying for. "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might..." — Ecclesiastes 9:10 (ESV). Let’s say you’re praying for a career promotion; don’t wait for the title change to start growing. Be continuously diligent in both the small and large responsibilities given to you, develop new skills, and serve with excellence.
 Praying for marriage? Be watchful of your character and attitude towards others. Focus on personal growth, emotional health, and grooming yourself to become a Godly, marriageable partner.
 Asking and praying for the gift of children? Be warm and kind to the children around you now, stay close to them, and learn how to be a good and Godly parent as you faithfully expect your breakthrough.


"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." — Colossians 3:2 (NIV)

Secondly, guard your mind and align your thoughts. Hope requires active mental discipline. When past mistakes, decisions, or deep hurts threaten to anchor you to the past, deliberately re-anchor your mind on things above. Hope breathes a new vision and direction into us, offering total assurance in moving on from memories.

Thirdly, commit your daily efforts to the lord. Proverbs 16:3 says, "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans." Diligence isn't about striving in human strength alone; it's about inviting God into your daily labor and trusting Him to establish your expectations.

Dear woman, step out in faith today. No matter what season you are walking through, your story is not over. Our prayer is that our hope and faith in God will remain fully active, aligning seamlessly with His will so that we may rejoice without doubt. God is actively working behind the scenes, sis; He is aligning His good plans for your life. So choose to pair your hope and faith with deliberate, heartfelt action from today onward. Trust His word, do the work in front of you, and watch how He opens doors no one can shut. May God bless you.

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Whenever life gets heavy, the best place to anchor your heart is in Scripture. Take time right now to read, reflect on, and hide these key verses on hope in your heart:

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Romans 12:12 (NIV)

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

"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."

Psalm 42:11 (NIV)

"Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God."

Proverbs 23:18 (NIV)

"There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off."

Our Guest's Bio

Meet Mercy Akhidenor

Mercy Omonigho Akhidenor is a dedicated woman of faith rooted in Edo State, Nigeria. She channels her passion for service into active ministry work at her local church.

Her journey is a testament to steadfast faith, and we are thrilled to feature her on our platform.