I Am Hopeless; God Restores Hope!

October 10, 2024

I Am Hopeless; God Restores Hope!

Hopelessness and helplessness are not the same. 

Helplessness is believing I cannot do what I want to make a difference.  Hopelessness is believing that even though I might be able to do something it will make no positive difference. 

Helplessness is when I convince myself I can’t do it.  Hopelessness is when I convince myself that doing something does not matter so why try again.

Several weeks ago, I reflected upon the feeling of helplessness.  Today, I would like to spend a few moments thinking about the impact of hopelessness on our lives.   

Hopelessness grows when I have concluded that the future is negative.  I believe I no longer have any control to make a positive difference, I no longer have confidence that things can be better, I no longer possess the courage to try something new so God can change tomorrow through me. 

Hopelessness grows deeper and deeper in despair and desperation as I become more and more convinced the future will be no better than today.  The challenge of hopelessness is breaking the cycle of our thinking. 

For me, breaking that cycle of hopelessness begins by remembering our God is a God of hope.  In Romans 15:13 the Apostle Paul writes; “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

When I feel hopeless, there is little joy and no peace in my heart, mind, or soul.  I quickly forget that the God who created me is a God of hope; i.e., a God who knows the future is filled with promise. 

In God’s version of my future, there is the promise of new opportunities, the promise of doors that will open, the promise of resources that will be provided.  Our God is a God of hope because our God is all about bringing His people to know and love Him more.

When I feel hopeless, I need to begin believing there is hope for tomorrow.  I need to know deep in my soul that my future will be fruitful and hope-full.  In Jeremiah 29:11 we hear; “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.”

The Lord God promises a future with hope not despair or desperation, not shame or guilt, not sadness or regret.  Sometimes it is hard to see the hope when we are in the midst of things and people that we have allowed to make us feel hopeless.  But, the Lord God has a plan for your life that involves a future with hope…no matter how difficult is today, no matter how painful was yesterday, no matter how bleak it looks tomorrow.

Hope begins with a growing and healthy relationship with Jesus.  In other words, as my faith in, love for, and obedience to Jesus grows deeper and deeper, I will find my hope growing, too.  In Hebrews 11:1 we hear; “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

I may not be able to see any hope in tomorrow.  But, my faith in Jesus helps me to begin seeing a future where on my own I cannot yet see.  My faith in Jesus gives me strength so I do not feel so helpless.  My faith in Jesus gives me courage to face tomorrow so I do not feel so hopeless.

+With the economy vacillating with wide swings, it is easy to feel insecure about our financial future.  +With the political environment growing more uncertain, it is easy to feel uneasy about our future. 

+With the violence in our country and wars raging in the Ukraine and Israel, it is easy to question the stability of our global community.

I imagine you know someone who is feeling more than a bit of hopelessness right now.  They need you to love them, to encourage them, and to offer a word of hope for them.  Spend some time with them.  Share these Bible verses.  Pray with them (or at least for them). 

Your friend needs something from you that they cannot do for themselves right now.  They need you to speak the Word of God in a way that restores hope, opens up the possibility of a better future, and washes away the feelings of discouragement, disappointment, and desperation.

When hope begins to be rekindled, peace and joy will begin to grow.  At the same time, your friend’s heart will be more and more filled with delight in the Lord. 

Over time, they will be convinced that our God is a God of hope, that our God has a plan for a future with hope, that our God will grow our faith in Him in such a way that hope will be restored.  Encourage your friend in such a way that they will take delight in the Lord every day.

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug