“For on this hope, we were saved. But hope that’s seen isn’t any hope in any respect. Who hopes for what they have already got? But if we hope for what we don’t yet have, we wait for it patiently.” – Romans 8:24-25
Everyone carries baggage, nevertheless it seems all of us handle it in a different way. Past regrets, concerns in regards to the present, worries, or fears for the long run. Sometimes, that baggage seems overwhelming, threatening to bury us, causing us to feel like we’re drowning in a tsunami of worry and fear. We feel like there’s nowhere to show.
How Can We Escape the Imprisonment of Hopelessness?
In this life, imprisonment is available in many forms – work, materialism, and debt. But imprisonment can be more damaging, dangerous, and harder to flee. Addictions like alcohol or drugs, sex, and pornography. Homosexual tendencies or attractions. Debilitating diseases. Broken and even abusive relationships we are able to’t seem to seek out our way out of. The unexpected lack of a loved one. Betrayal. Bitterness that simply won’t go away. The battles of being a single parent. That’s an extended list, and I might need missed yours. Experiences – existences – akin to these may be like dungeons. They can wrap us up like an enormous octopus – a devilfish. We wish to escape – we even try to flee, but too often, it’s like quicksand – we stay too near the sting, dragging us right back in.
How can we find – how can we embrace – hope, joy, and peace in a life stuffed with struggle and disillusionment? When we’re battling the demons of today, how can we find the angels of tomorrow to assist us out of the dilemma? Those battles can often seem overwhelming – like a mountain cliff we have now no probability of climbing. We are often incapable of climbing the cliff on our own – or of keeping our heads above water within the tsunami. We can’t do it alone. But perhaps we don’t need to. Maybe escape – hope, joy, and peace – isn’t something we have now to work so hard at by ourselves. Maybe they aren’t something we discover on our own. Maybe, just perhaps, hope, joy, and peace are gifts – gifts which might be offered like God’s grace. It is there for us if we’re only willing to simply accept it.
“I actually have told you these items, in order that in me you might have peace. In this world you’ll have trouble. But take heart! I actually have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
Jesus offers the hope we seek. Jesus provides the relief where we could find no relief. Jesus is the reply. Jesus own words tell us he, himself, is the one we must turn to. He is the one who will help us. Actually, no – not help. He is the one who can handle us, if we just let him. And his invitation is open to all, for anyone who truly opens their heart to him:
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will provide you with rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I’m gentle and lowly in heart, and one can find rest on your souls. For my yoke is straightforward, and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30 ESV
Sometimes, it is difficult to understand the sunshine until we have now seen and experienced darkness. Often, that light appears to be a flicker at the tip of a dark tunnel. But after we reach it, that sparkle is the intense light that lifts us out of the darkness. That is Christ Jesus. He is that sparkle – nay, that vibrant light – we yearn for.
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “’I’m the sunshine of the world. Whoever follows me won’t ever walk in darkness, but could have the sunshine of life.’” – John 16:33
Biblical Hope vs Earthly Hope
Our human definition of hope conveys the concept of a level of doubt – often followed by “so.” “I sure hope so.” But that could be a far cry from the Biblical definition.
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we don’t see.” – Hebrews 11:1
Biblical hope is just not a sense – it’s a trusted reality. When we’re asked if we’re going to heaven after we die, our answer is just not “I hope so.” We don’t “hope so” – we know so. Biblical hope is built on a foundation of religion – trust – in God and his guarantees. We can – and will – construct our very lives on that foundation. On absolutely the knowledge that God keeps his guarantees. In almost every case, the unique Greek word for hope within the New Testament is elpis or elpizo. In the unique language, there isn’t any doubt attached to this word. Biblical hope is confident expectation. We may not see it yet, but we comprehend it’s definitely coming. That hope relies on the sure foundation of Jesus Christ and allows us to attend with joy and full confidence. There is little doubt about it. Paul describes it this manner:
“For on this hope we were saved. But hope that’s seen isn’t any hope in any respect. Who hopes for what they have already got? But if we hope for what we don’t yet have, we wait for it patiently.” – Romans 8:24-25
Why Do We Experience Hopelessness?
We can’t begin or pretend to grasp God’s reasons for things. We need to trust that he knows higher than we do. That his thoughts are above ours and his way is above our way. (Isaiah 55:8-9). The truth is that individuals don’t turn to God when every little thing is great and peachy. During times of prosperity, people don’t feel the necessity for God. In times of trial and struggle, people reach out to God for help.
Do you recognize those little doodle sheets that restaurants often give to kids? They almost at all times include a maze, don’t they? That maze is commonly easy for adults but difficult for young children. Adults, in fact, have a distinct perspective. But isn’t that very similar to the large lifelong maze we live in? Full of potential mistaken turns and dead ends. But God has a perspective that we don’t. He sees all of it – he sees the proper path. His path for us. He says,
“Be still, and know that I’m God.” – Psalm 46:10
Paul is such an example for us within the New Testament. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul expressed amazing joy and peace – and yes, hope. Confidence in God’s word. Yet, the letter was written (together with three others, often called the “Prison Epistles) while serving Roman imprisonment, with little hope for release. Even so, Paul encouraged his readers – encouraged us – in this manner:
“Rejoice within the Lord at all times. I’ll say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:4-7
In every situation – not for every situation. Even so, we cannot expect God to vary our circumstances immediately. He is not going to give us what we would like merely so we are able to have peace. He may even go the other way – increasing the struggle until we are able to respond as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, “God will rescue me. But even when he doesn’t, I’ll worship him and no other.” (Daniel 3 – paraphrase) When Job was within the midst of his extreme trials, he said to his three friends, “Even though God may slay me – yet I’ll hope in him.” (Job 13:15) Our hearts are more necessary to God than our circumstances. Even in the midst of a trial, somewhat than dwelling on God delivering us from the battle, perhaps we must give attention to how he can deliver us inside the battle.
“Rejoice at all times, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for that is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
How Do We Conquer Hopelessness through Faith?
Here is the actual deal, though. Jesus doesn’t just want your words that you simply consider. He doesn’t just want you to only “consider.” He wants all of you. All of your faith. He wants your heart, your life, your give up to him. He wants you to abide in him. (1 John 2:5-6)
What does it mean to abide? It means to live in him – and him in you. It means holding on to and growing a everlasting, strong relationship with him. A bond that may never be broken. It means allowing His Word to fill our minds and hearts and transform us from the within out. To abide in Christ means making Christ Jesus the thing of our lives – not the physical stuff we’re going through now. When we’re going through a storm, God is with us at all times. Like Peter, we’d like to maintain our eyes focused on Jesus, and we are going to find a way to walk on water.
“Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and got here toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, starting to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’” – Matthew 14:29-31
But the reality is, saying these words is pretty easy—doing this takes intentional effort. We cannot simply say we consider and expect miracles to occur in our lives. Building a relationship takes some effort and commitment. How can we do this?
4 Ways to Mature in Our Faith
1. Prayer
Take time day by day to attach with God. Don’t worry in regards to the words you utilize – God already knows what you wish, and the Holy Spirit will convey it in ways we are able to’t even understand. (Romans 8:26-27)
2. Daily Bible Study
Commit to reading one chapter per day of the Gospels until you’re through all of them. Focus on who Jesus is and what he did. Read one psalm per day, for those who can. Understand all David went through despite being the “apple of the Lord’s eye.” (Psalm 17)
3. Connection with other believers
Really connect. Don’t be afraid to ask for help – irrespective of what you’re going through.
4. Opening as much as a pastor or counselor
This is a more critical step for some than for others, but it might be very necessary to assist ease the burden of your battles.
If you continue to struggle to seek out hope, shift your focus to what you hope will occur. Try to see with the vision of religion somewhat than only the physical world before you. Instead of hoping things will work out as you select – and when you select – attempt to depend on his promise that you simply’ll still be okay, irrespective of what happens. He still loves you, and you’ll still be his child.
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed inside me? Put your hope in God, for I’ll yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” – Psalm 43:5
A Prayer for Hope
Jesus has already attained victory – not only for the subsequent life, but for all times without delay. In his own words, we are able to experience abundant life through the Holy Spirit. (John 10:10) My prayer for you comes from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians –
“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, in order that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you simply, being rooted and established in love, could have power, along with all of the Lord’s holy people, to know how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that chances are you’ll be filled to the measure of all of the fullness of God.
Now to him who’s capable of do immeasurably greater than all we ask or imagine, in line with his power that’s at work inside us, to him be glory within the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, without end! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:14-21)
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