Hope In Despair

How does one have hope in a declining economy, shrinking investments, disappearing jobs and health concerns? As we journey through life, we can expect many challenges and struggles. Often I meet people who have shattered dreams and plans gone awry. The responses of individuals and groups in each situation are unique; you can give up in despair or stand amidst a raging storm with hope and faith in future.

We know there is no quick fix for any given challenge or situation. But we can control our response, have hope and be courageous, creative and compassionate.
Chaos can have profound meaning that leads to a deeper search. Creativity can come out of chaos such as job loss, natural disasters and failing health. If we only focus on the problem, the result is we will intensify the pain and become engulfed in fear and doubt. There is a call to re root ourselves in God, whose supply of mercy and compassion never goes bankrupt. It offers us an opportunity to develop a genuine trust and hope in God who really cares.

With trust in God, we truly can move mountains. We are as small as our fear and despair, or as great as our courage and hope.

We may not be where we want to be at this moment, but we cannot dwell on that. We have to look again towards the God who has been good in the past and will deliver us into the future. We have to hope in Him and believe that He is able, and pray Him for His love and hope in spite of the circumstances.

Hope is possible beyond despair. We remain hopeful even when there appear to be no signs of hope at all. Why? Because our hope is not based upon signs. Our hope is based upon God and God alone. We put all our hope and trust in Him.
He is at work in the whole universe and always has been. It is He who has brought everything into existence and keeps everything moving forward in the immense unfolding of the universe. He has been at work in all of human history and continues to be involved in the world of politics, economics and religion – not to mention what we call “nature”. And last but not least, God is at work in you and me. There is no area of life from which He can be excluded.

We continue to hope even when there are no visible signs of hope. We recognize the darkness and apparent hopelessness of the present situation and put all our trust in God. Then, gradually, as our eyes adjust to the darkness of despair, we begin to see the emerging shapes or outlines of God’s great and mysterious work. These are the paradoxical signs of the time that only become visible once we believe that God is at work in our world, once we learn to look at life with an attitude of hopefulness.

What matters in the long run, though, is not only that we are hopeful but that we act hopefully, that we do whatever we can with confidence and hopefulness. What would be tragic at this time would be that we give up hope and stop trying to work for a better world, or that we carry on working but without any hope.

Many have provisionally believed in God, but hesitate to trust him fully. Their hearts are fearful that nothing will really ever change. For them, God is still on probation. They will need to trust God fully and enter the life God has for them.

He will never leave us nor forsake us! The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
There is a greater purpose in all things: And we know that all things work together for good to them, who love God, to them who are called according to His purpose. If God be for us, who can be against us? He is with me even in the depths of despair. Remind me that no matter what I may endure now, an unending joy awaits me in the future if I cling tightly to Him.He has great plans for you, and you're in conflict with Him when you speak or think negatively concerning your future.

In your present need, God is aware of your anxiety and will do what is best for you. Ask for His strength and trust Him by putting your present and future in His Hands.

Do not look forward in fear to the changes in life; rather, look to them with full hope that as they arise, God, Whose very own you are, will lead you safely through all things; and when you cannot stand it, God will carry you in His Arms.

Do not fear what may happen tomorrow; the same understanding Father Who cares for you today will take care of you then and every day.

He will either shield you from suffering or will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.
A pessimist finds a problem in every opportunity, but an optimist finds opportunity in every problem. Your despair is an opportunity to meet your best friend, let Him hold your hand tightly and you shall never be lost again.