Новые времена Go back to the homepage Searching for hope in seemingly hopeless times Among the secondary effects of the COVID-19 global pandemic, "collateral damage" included a dramatic increase in the number of people of different ages experiencing feelings of hopelessness. During the pandemic, many people did not know who to turn to. Hopelessness and despair became constant companions. For some, it caused a return to addictions. Others were plagued by irreversible suicidal thoughts to escape the fear and pain. I'll never forget hearing from one of my clients that his ex-wife had decided to take her own life. He still had life insurance on her even though she had abandoned the family more than three years earlier. However, because of her death, the death benefit did nothing to ease the pain that he and their two young boys had to endure because of her loss. Someone called suicide "a permanent solution to a temporary problem." Because of the woman's choice to take her own life, this family lost touch with the person they loved. Life is precious, and it has always amazed me how someone can just give up, submitting to the seemingly bleak or hopeless things going on. I find finding hope in seemingly hopeless times to be a very worthwhile endeavor. We all face difficulties at different times in our lives. As a follower of Christ, I have come to realize that life is not always easy – nor should it be. Jesus told His disciples: «These things I have spoken to you, that you may have peace in Me. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer: I have overcome the world» (John 16:33). I am also inspired by the lyrics from the Gaither Vocal Band song "Because He Lives": "Because He lives, I can face tomorrow; Because He lives, all fear is removed; Because I know that to Him belongs the future, And life is worth living – just because He lives." These are beautiful words that I have memorized; sometimes I catch myself singing them in difficult times. Like most of us, I find myself much more often in the valleys than on the mountain tops. Experience has taught me that God prefers to use me when I feel closest to others in need of encouragement. This is why our personal experiences are so important. We need to share it with people who may find themselves in similar circumstances. Hopelessness is a tactic of our spiritual enemy, whom the Bible calls Satan. He and his demons want to create a sense of hopelessness by killing as many people as possible. К. C. S. Lewis, in his weighty little book, Letters of a Balamut, emphasizes that Satan is a liar and a deceiver. His goal has always been to deceive and destroy our lives. The answer to this is our eternal hope in Jesus Christ. All those who have trusted Christ as Savior and Lord know that our eternal welfare is secure. The work of salvation was accomplished almost 2,000 years ago when Christ died for us and our past, present, and future sins. But His work continues today. We have the Lord's promise, "…I will not leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). Jesus also told His followers: «And behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age» (Matthew 28:20). Even when things seem utterly hopeless, we can grab hold of another assurance: «Fear not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee, and help thee, and uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness» (Isaiah 41:10). © 2023. All rights reserved. Jim Langley has been writing for over 30 years. He works as a life and health insurance agent. In recent years, his passion has turned to writing about his relationship with God. His goal is to encourage others to draw closer to Him as well. A longtime member of CBMC, he began writing Fourth Quarter Strategies in 2014. Questions for reflection/discussion Do you agree that the number of people who have experienced or are experiencing feelings of hopelessness and despair has increased dramatically in recent years? If so, what factors do you think contribute to this? Have you or someone close to you experienced any of these feelings? How would you respond? Is Mr. Langley arguing that faith in Jesus Christ – not only in what He has accomplished for our eternal salvation and forgiveness, but also in what He wants to accomplish in our lives today – can give us a sense of hope and confidence even in difficult times when everything seems hopeless? Would you agree? If so, how has it been in your life? If you were faced with someone who had fallen down and lost hope, what steps do you think would be most helpful? NOTES. To learn more about what the Bible says about this topic, consider the following passages: Romans 5:6-8, 8:28,37-39; Ephesians 6:10-17; 1 Thessalonians 5:8-11; Titus 2:13-14
