Real Hope

Real Hope

A Word on Hope

There was an experiment conducted in the 1950's using rats. Read more HERE.

It was a cruel experiment but it gives some important insights.

The experimenter, took domestic rats and put them in glass jars filled with water.

A few rats immediately gave up and committed suicide, basically.

But, the rest of the rats swam for days trying to survive.

Next, the experimenter used wild rats.

They all gave up and died in a short time.

The experiment continued. But, let's stop here for a moment, and ask ourselves.

What's the difference between,  the few domesticated rats who committed suicide and the ones who did not?

Then, let's ask ourselves what's the difference between the domesticated and the wild?

Remember, there's more to the experiment. But, at this point we can see a difference.

This is my interpretation.

The difference is human contact.

The domesticated rats had been raised by humans. Fed, watered, cages cleaned, they probably heard the humans talking to them, or to other humans. They had developed a trust of the humans.

The wild rats feared humans, they had no good experiences with humans at all. 

The few rats that committed suicide, had never fully trusted their human masters.

That's the difference. Human contact.

Now, the original experimenter, we are told, saw that hope was the reason for what he observed. The domesticated rats who lived longer had hope that the human would come, like they always had.

They had hope, and trusted the humans.

In the next phase of the experiment. The experimenter tested both wild and domesticated rats.

He put them in jars of water and let them swim until the point where they finally gave up. Then, he saved them and let them rest before putting them back into the jars.

After this salvation, both wild and domesticated rats, swam even longer than before.

The experimenter determined that the rats had hope that help would come. So, they could endure longer.

Ok, so that's the basic lesson we can glean from this experiment.  Hope has the power to help people to endure the struggles of this world.

We can build hope in ourselves and we can give hope to other people. This hope can save the day.

But, let's go further.

Let's go into the spiritual. Which might not have been the intent of the experiment. But, it's my belief that everything exists to point us to God, and teach us of Him. It all works, to draw us to Him, or away.

What do animals think of humans? I know they fear us. But, do they think we are really smart animals? Or do we become "gods" to them?

I put "gods" in lower case and quotes, because I have no doubt that animals and small children know who the real God is.

But, do they see us as some kind of ministering angel perhaps? Or a fallen demonic angel?

I do not know. But, if we look at this experiment in terms of our own walk with God, can we see parallels? Similarities?

When we choose to believe God is working in our life, does it give us more hope? Does it give us more faith, when we trust Him?

Is hope and faith the same?

Faith-filled hope is not the same as "gee I hope so."

Hope with faith says "God is my only Hope, and I have faith He is coming."

That is not "hope so."

The rats trusted and had hope. When they were saved the first time, it gave them even more hope and faith because they had proof. They trusted that the human would come, and he did. Then, they knew he would come again, and had faith to endure.

Do you see the similarities?

God is good. He loves us and takes care of us. He saves us and will come again.

The things God has done for us in the past is proof for our hope and faith that He will take care of us, and be there for us in the future. Think of the great things God has done for you. It will help us to endure.

Trust Him.

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 Bio:Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called “The Future is Coming” and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

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