HOW CAN WE HAVE HOPE WHEN EVERYTHING SEEMS HOPELESS?
According to a report released by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2015, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S., claiming the lives of almost 45,000 Americans every year. Furthermore, after a steady decline in the ’80s and ’90s, statistics now show that the suicide rate has increased steadily in the past several years. People have lost “HOPE.” It is said that a person can live 2-3 days without water, 2 weeks without food, but only 30 minutes without hope. In Romans 5:3-5, Paul says that we, the truly saved, can rejoice in our sufferings because we are a people of hope.
Romans 5: 3-5
3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
So, how can we have hope when everything looks hopeless? In the midst of suffering, we can rejoice because these challenges cause us to do three things.
1. Rely on God’s presence
Rejoicing in suffering does not mean celebrating when bad news comes, but it does mean that we can believe that God is doing a redemptive work. This word “redemptive” means that God does not waste a hurt or disappointment. He is using them to shape and build us into the image of Jesus, which is his highest passion. When we go through suffering, we often pray and seek God more intensely than at other times. God uses suffering to make us rely on his presence.
Psalms 23:4
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me
David writes that he does not fear because God is with him. He relies on God’s presence, and it brings him strength and comfort. Remember, for there to be a shadow, there has to be a light. I don’t know what your “valley of the shadow of death” is, but I do know who the Light is that is walking with you in that valley.
Psalm 32 : 1
1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
David reveals that one of the reasons for his joy is that he is forgiven. We can’t determine God’s love for us based on good or bad circumstances. We determine his love based on the cross and what he did for us on it.
2. Rely on God’s provision
In 2 Corinthians 12:7, Paul reveals that he has suffered from a “thorn in the flesh.”
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.
God was so concerned about Paul not becoming proud he allowed this to happen to him to prevent him from becoming conceited. In our current situations, God is saying to us that his grace is sufficient, and even when we feel weak, he is making us stronger than we have ever been.
2 Corinthians 12:9
9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
His grace is not an abstract idea. It is the person of Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit living in us. The “hell” that we occasionally go through may be the very circumstance God uses to take us to a whole new level.
3. Rely on God’s power
What is your weakness? Maybe it is a son or a daughter that hasn’t quite turned out the way you thought he or she would. Maybe it is a job situation that has gone awry, or a medical diagnosis that has scared you. Maybe, like Paul, it is insults, hardships, or persecutions.
Whatever it is, Paul says he will boast in those things because when we are weak, the power of Christ rests on us. The greater the enemy the greater Jesus is in you. Maybe you hear voices telling you to just quit, give up, and let it go. Don’t stop. When you are weak, then he is strong.
Remember the greater the attack against you, the greater Christ is in you, but we have to rely on his presence, his provision, and his power. All of us struggle with issues from time to time.
How much better off would we be if we Jesus said?
Matthew 11:28-30
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
So, how can we have hope when everything is hopeless? When I think of hopelessness, I think of Peter. Peter, who had been with Jesus from the beginning of His ministry, denied Jesus. Peter had been told by Jesus that he would do that, but Peter just could not believe that he would deny Jesus. I would say Peter was depressed. Peter was full of hopelessness.
Luke 22 : 61-62
61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." 62 So Peter went out and wept bitterly.
Peter wept uncontrollably because he denied Jesus, but Peter would quickly realize he had hope. Peter’s despair turned to hope because Jesus had made him a promise at the same time He told Peter that Pater was going to deny Him.
Luke 22 : 31 - 32
31 And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."
Yes, Peter would deny Jesus, but Jesus had prayed for Peter that his faith not fail, He gave Peter the assurance that he would return to Him. Dear friend, being saved does not protect us from hard times, crises, disappointments, or illnesses, but I have an Advocate in Heaven by the name of Jesus Christ who is praying on my behalf daily, and if I will rely on His presence, power, and provision, I can not only see myself through any situation but be made spiritually stronger by it.