Rev. Vicky's Message June 18, 2026

In these challenging times, it can sometimes feel challenging to hope for things to get better, like we're just setting ourselves up for disappoint-ment. But, as we know, sustaining hope is essential – because life happens from the-inside out.

I shared the following poem this week, as a reflection in our Prayers for Our Nation gathering Tuesday night – and thought it would be good to share it with everyone – helping us all to hold a high watch for our nation and our world. I found it in an AA blog https://gugogs.org/2025/01/07/living-with-hope/

Living with Hope by Henri Nouwen

Optimism and hope are radically different attitudes.

Optimism is the expectation that things:the weather, human relationships,the economy, the political situation,and so on—will get better.

Hope is the trust that God will fulfill God’s promises to us in a way that leads us to true freedom.

The optimist speaks about concrete changes in the future. The person of hope lives in the moment with the knowledge and trust that all of life is in good hands.

All the great spiritual leaders in history were people of hope. Abraham, Moses, Ruth, Mary, Jesus, Rumi, Gandhi and Dorothy Day all lived with a promise in their hearts that guided them toward the future without the need to know exactly what it would look like. Let’s live with hope.

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Nouwen seems to be saying that optimism is an expectation of future events going our way; whereas hope is trusting that this very moment…no matter what it is like….is held within a larger context of Good and of Love. As in our affirmation that God Is Good - ALL the Time...meaning, every situation can help us grow into greater love and understanding when we turn to Spirit with open hearts and minds.

In Unity, we believe that both optimism, i.e., "expecting the good," AND hope are powerful spiritual practices. Optimism, as a mindset, is important because our mindset has a powerful influence on how we experience our lives. In short, we always find what we're looking for – if we're looking for the good, we will find it, and vice versa.

We also teach, however, that it is essential to be present to "what is" in our lives, so as not to fall into the trap of toxic positivity that involves avoiding and/or suppressing our negative emotions, and engaging in spiritual bypass in order to avoid pain rather than growing through it.

Which is where hope is essential – trusting in God's Good, (e.g., presence, love, strength, joy) – even when we can't presently see it. It is where I am spending a lot of my time these days. The following came from the same blog article, defining hope as the powerful spiritual practice we understand it to be, especially in difficult times like these.

Hope is not wishing.Hope is not wanting…Hope is a choice.It is CHOOSING TO Trust in the Mysterious Presencewe know by oh so many different names.Hope is Trusting that the Divine, Mysterious Presence is Good and it is

Love and that it imbues all of creation all of the time.And Hope is Trusting that Divine Presence is there in the good timesand in the times that we are suffering….Hope is trusting in the Ultimate Goodness of the Divine andthat is what we call Faith. – Bruce M.

I agree. "Let's live with hope."

Blessings,

Rev. Vicky