It is not always easy to have hope. First we have to work out what it is we have hope in. Hope is quite rational if the thing we have hope in is solid. If we trust that there is goodness in the creation of the world (and maybe the creator of the world), and that we are also created good; then we have every reason to hope to share in that goodness. We can look back at our history and realise that our hope is not blind, but based on experience. While there may be ups and downs, highs and lows along the way, but our experience is one of hope.