99. Between Hope & Trust

I understand trust and hope descriptions. The idea of a prop, a sword or scythe for instance struck me as funny/novel. Never pictured G-d with a prop. Who does ? I guess somebody does. It's still humorous.

How do you use your heart if you don't know how? If life has taught you that by using your brain you can be safe and using your heart can cause unrealistic pain in the form of hope.

It seems to me that if we are to face our lives with true courage, then at some point we must face the realization that ultimately there is no hope. There is only trust that there is meaning, and we must use our capacity to CHOOSE meaning, the ultimate trust in the creator of it ALL. Perhaps some day we will be free enough to BE meaning. How could it be any other way? So blessed are we! Thank you. I so enjoy these daily doses. May you be well and happy.

Loriann, thank you! As many others, I struggle with this battle.

Rabbi Freeman, you provide illumination so simply and succinctly. Hope & trust: you clarified a tangled labyrinth of false turns & dead ends, when a straightforward path is right before me.

Every morning I awake with increased gratitude and understanding, peeling false layers of protection from my heart. It is always protected—I must trust that.

"I shall pour out my Spirit upon humanity and your old will dream dreams and your young shall see visions." Joel 2:28

Rabbi, am I to understand then that 'trust' far outweighs 'hope,' that our trust in G-d will somehow succeed hopelessness? How can we trust when all around us is filled with despair and our connection, our trust in G_d has been diminished? Please explain

"But the One who runs the show doesn't need any props."

No need to add further after this. Thanks for enlightening!

Thank you, Rabbi Freeman. All this time, I defined the feeling held in my heart as a feeling of hope. However, you explained what my heart already knew; it is actually a feeling of trust.

My mind is always in a constant battle with my heart. My mind rationalizes and it bases its reasonings on what my eyes see in the natural; which always contradicts the promises of G-d. Refusing to accept what my mind tries to justify as truth, my heart speaks out differently. However, I just termed it as "a hope in G-d". Clearly, I now understand that my heart rests on a foundation of trust; in G-d, His word, and His promises. No matter what my eyes see and my mind rationalizes, I will now listen to my heart and trust.

Thank you again, Rabbi Freeman, this teaching was exactly what I needed to hear.

This world is to crazy! Rather my mind is too crazy! Or rather both and none! And Only One Answer!