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Is Everything Hopeless?

How do we have hope in a hopeless world? Everywhere we look, it appears as if the people in this world are trying to destroy themselves. Mass shootings occur more and more frequently in our country. Murder and maim seems to be a battle cry among gang members, cults, and individuals who somehow feel they have been mistreated by society and are out to seek vengeance for anyone interfering with the way they live their life. They choose to destroy those who are not of the same skin color, political belief, or spiritual calling. They have no use for anyone who is not willing to worship their god (or gods) and are willing to sacrifice themselves for their “cause.”

Law enforcement and military personnel are being killed almost daily, while the citizens of this country treat them with contempt and blame them for all the problems in the world. Churches are being destroyed by acts of violence, forcing harm on those that choose to serve our Holy God. Homes are broken and people are living on the streets because loving our neighbor who is down on their luck is seen as “enabling.”

Suicide is a major national public health issue affecting people of all ages. This could be caused by health issues, both physical and mental, being bullied or desensitized to violence and death, or simply because they are tired of fighting whatever battle it is they are facing and doing it alone.

So, how do we have hope in a hopeless world?

Are We Trying to Self-Destruct?

For years we have been inundated with the importance of “saving our planet.” We are strongly encouraged to recycle everything from newspapers, glass, plastic, cardboard, clothes, and aluminum. Industries and vehicle owners are fined if anti-pollution devices aren’t installed in their plants or on all vehicles. Trees are cut down to make furniture leaving treeless forests either bare or re-planted with slow-growing new trees that will need years to mature. 

Why are we are striving to save our planet when the population itself is in self-destruct mode? How sad God must be to look at us from heaven and watch our behavior. 

Nations are fighting against each other because one country feels bigger and more powerful than the other or their religious beliefs differ. Lone gunmen are going into schools and workplaces shooting large groups of people to prove a point, make a name for themselves, or retaliate against people that treated them poorly. Planes are being flown into mountains and buildings killing everyone on board to prove something to someone or to make a sacrifice to their pagan god. It’s frightening, depressing, and victimizing.

There is Hope

All this tragedy is leaving people hurting and broken-hearted. Families are wondering how they are to go on. Parents are being left without a spouse or child, and children are being left without loving parents to raise them. Friends are left without friends, and everyone is left without hope. It is just so sad.

But that is just it. As Christians, we are not without hope.

We have a loving, Holy Father, who created the earth and everything in it. He then decided that was not enough, so he created us. (Genesis 1:26) We are his masterpiece. (Ephesians 2:10) He knows everything about us and still loves us. He even knows the number of hairs on our head! (Luke 12:7)

Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness . . .” Genesis 1;26 (NIV)

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12:7 (NIV)

God’s is with Us–We are not Alone

So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

. . . And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20b (NIV)

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. John 10:29 (NIV)

God Gave us Jesus

God loves us so much that He sent his own son to dwell on earth among mankind, live in a dirty sin-filled world, be disrespected, spit on and laughed at, suffer humiliation, pain and torture, and die on a cross for our sins. His Son, Jesus Christ, was sacrificed for our sins. God did this because He loves us so much that he wants us to spend eternity with Him in Heaven! 

He gifted us with hope, because when Jesus was resurrected three days after his death, he proved that death had no hold on him. As his followers, he proved death has no hold on us either. We have an eternal hope of living forever in eternity with him!

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV)

God Filled us with His Spirit

God also gave us a counselor, the Holy Spirit, to live inside our hearts when Jesus was no longer walking around in the flesh. In this way, we are never alone. His Spirit guides us, comforts us, disciplines us, and keeps us reminded of who God is and what he has done for us.

But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him (the Holy Spirit) to you [to be in close fellowship with you]. John 16:7 (AMP)

God Gave us the Bible

We also have God’s living, breathing Word — the Bible — full of his promises of hope from cover to cover. When we are feeling attacked, defeated, broken, and hopeless, all we have to do is open His word to be refreshed, revitalized, and renewed in spirit. We can remind ourselves of His promises when we are feeling weak and vulnerable and be strengthened. We can be enveloped in his love and peace when we need to be carried through the pain.

but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

There will be Suffering in This Life

God did not promise us we would not have suffering in this life. We are assured instead that we most certainly will face trouble. But we are to remember that this life is just temporary; this world is not our permanent home. Our eternal home is in Heaven. And we are promised that in Heaven there will be no suffering and pain, no sickness and death. There is our hope.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NIV)

‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying. Revelation 21:4 (NIV)

We Can Have Hope in a Hopeless World

If you haven’t accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, I pray you will do so now. Accept his sacrifice was for you. He is the only way to get to the Father. (John 14:6) Confess your sins and you will be forgiven. God’s grace is endless. (Ephesians 2:8)

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 NIV)

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—Ephesians 2:8 (NIV)

If you are a Christian and are feeling discouraged and hopeless, remember who your God is. Remember that Jesus is your Lord and Savior. Remember that God’s spirit lives within you–you are never alone. 

Memorize God’s promises. Claim them. Shout them at Satan when he attacks. Things are not hopeless. We have the greatest hope of all–a Heavenly Father who gave his Son so that we can belong to him forever.

17 Bible Verses to Give Us Hope

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
    and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 (NIV)

And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 288:20b (NIV)

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
    whose confidence is in him. Jeremiah 17:7 (NIV)

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (NIV)

As for me, I will always have hope;
    I will praise you more and more. Psalm 71:14 (NIV)

I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
    and in his word I put my hope. Psalm 130:5 (NIV)

I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
    therefore I will wait for him.” Lamentations 3:24 (NIV)

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
    my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
    my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2 (NIV)

¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:17 (NIV)

 But God will never forget the needy;
    the hope of the afflicted will never perish. Psalm 9:18 (NIV)

 The Lord is my strength and my shield;
    my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
    and with my song I praise him. Psalm 28:7

¹² Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 (NIV)

² . . . And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. ³ Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings,because we know that suffering produces perseverance;⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ And hopedoes not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:2-5 (NIV)

¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)

³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)

No list would be complete without Psalm 23. David reminds us of how great it is to be in the presence of our Heavenly Father and all the gifts that He bestows on us. Our Father blesses us with so much, and He is with us in every circumstance, good or bad.

Psalm 23 (AMP)

Even though I walk through the [sunless] valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort and console me.
`the presence of my enemies.

You have anointed and refreshed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I shall dwell forever [throughout all my days] in the house and in the presence of the Lord.

See also:

https://journalingbee.com/17-bible-verses-about-hope/(opens in a new tab)

https://journalingbee.com/a-prayer-for-hope-in-a-hopeless-world/(opens in a new tab)

Resources:

New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.