4 Ways to Hope When Things Feel Hopeless
“Hope is hard sometimes,” I thought, contemplating the impossible situation before me. “I don’t want to set myself up for disappointment. Is it worth hoping things can change?” Semi-hopeless thoughts ran through my mind. It is important not to put our hope in the wrong things. or we will indeed face deep discouragement. Where can we safely place our trust? Is it always right to hope? Or do we sometimes need to let go of hope and surrender in faith to God’s sovereign plan?
There is a time to fight and a time to stop fighting. There is a time to hope and a time to release hope. Sounding like Solomon in Lamentations? I’m not sure if he would have said it quite that way, but I think he would have agreed.
Hope can disappoint. It says in Proverbs 13:12, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick.” We need to figure out how to do hope right if we want to be fulfilled and joyful in our missionary lives.
Hope in Intense Trial
One of my greatest moments of supernatural joy was during a season of intense trial. I’d been evacuated to Thailand due to back problems. I was facing possible surgery. Every dream I’d been dreaming for the ministry was now on hold.
Getting sick was not part of my plan! Leaving our two small children behind, flown on a stretcher to another country for medical care…nope. This was not what I had envisioned when I set my goals for the year!
“But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior, my God will hear me.”
Micah 7:7 NIV
In the midst of pain and confusion, I decided to let go. I surrendered. “God, you be in charge here. Your will, not mine,” I prayed.
A peace from Heaven descended on my soul. I released my future to the One I knew would be good to me. I had no idea what He would do. Would He heal me? Would things change? All I knew at that moment was that the best way to “fight” this was to submit myself and choose to trust.
As I did this, a deep joy filled my heart. A song of joy rose within me. It was going to be okay. No matter what happened, I was going to be alright. My family and the ministry were in His loving hands. I could rest. I could place my hope in God and be safe.
Hopelessness is a dangerous thing. In fact, the very definition of depression is “a severe sense of hopelessness.” We must hold tightly to hope. How do we do that?
4 Ways to Hold on to Hope
1. Hope in God, not in a particular picture of the future.
God’s goodness is the foundation of our hope. We know God is good, and will always be good, to us. He will never act in any other way than out of goodness, generosity, and a heart of love for us. A steadfast assurance of His character, who He is, and who He will be is the bedrock of true hope. Apart from that deep experiential knowledge that God is good, we would be fools to hope for real change in many situations we face.
But God is good! He is powerful. He is loving. Our trust is in Him, not in a particular vision of the future. Will we be healed? Maybe, maybe not. Will that relationship be restored? Maybe, maybe not.
We know, however, that God will be good. We know He will act. We know He hears our prayers and cares for us. In this, we place our hope.
2. Lay down rights and ideals.
It is easy to feel I have the right to a particular future. Do I? Do we deserve anything more than judgment? Every good thing in our lives is because of His grace and mercy.
I must let go of my human (and somewhat tainted) sense of justice. I tend to believe I deserve to have an easy life, to have a perfect family, to see great fruit in ministry for all my efforts. Do I?
Actually, no. I don’t deserve any of that. If I got what I deserved, it would be a sad day indeed. I am incredibly blessed. Choose to be thankful that you don’t get justice, you don’t actually want it. We deserve death and punishment, instead, we’ve been given grace. Count your many blessings. None of them are deserved and few are earned.
3. Choose faith and trust over worry and fear.
You have the power to choose. Where do you focus your thoughts? On imaginary negative scenarios in the future? I sometimes do. Then I remember Philippians 4:8. I quote it to myself, “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.”
Choose faith over fear. Trust over worry.
I don’t imagine what it will be like when I pull my kids out of school because I can’t pay their fees. Instead, I praise God for the ways He has provided over and over again through the years. Instead of conjuring up pictures of going home a failure with no stories to tell of anyone coming to Christ, I thank God for how He has helped me persevere.
Praise Him for how He’s helped you keep going in spite of the challenges and spiritual warfare you’ve faced.
Intentionally focus on the good. Think about those things. Discipline your mind. Control your thoughts. It’s possible to do. God is standing by, ready to help you.
4. Allow peace to come.
He promises His peace when we focus our attention on Him. Like the verse above says, “He will hear us.” Rest in that. God always hears. It’s even one of His names- the God Who Hears (El Shama). And when He does, He acts. He is not ignoring you. Angels are on assignment, responding to your prayers today. Let the peace of God fill your heart. I’m letting it fill mine. I’m choosing to let it come and wash over my anxious soul. Won’t you join me?
What would you add to the 4 ways to hold on to hope mentioned above? How has God helped you be steadfast in hope? Let me know in the comments below or share on the Missionary Life Facebook page or group.