Hope for the Hopeless

    Sometimes life looks hopeless. There are times when we cannot see the way out of our troubles and sadness overtakes us. We all run across circumstances that we cannot control or understand. This is unfortunately just a part of our life here on earth. There will always be darkness and sadness in this world overrun by sin. But take heart! He has overcome the world (John 16:33). And through His power we can too.

    When the world is wearing us down, we must turn to Him all the more. He has a plan and He sees the big picture that we cannot. When circumstances arise that we cannot understand we have to trust in Him and His plan. It doesn't mean that we can avoid sadness altogether, but the word tells us that He is near to the brokenhearted. When we cry out, He is there holding us close. In those times, we need to rest in Him. 

Psalms 34:17-19 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. (ESV)

Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (NIV)

Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him (NIV)

1 Peter 5:7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. (NLT)

Jeremiah 32:27 I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me? (NIV)

    The Lord sees our tears and He knows our heart's needs. We just have to live in His strength until things change and heal in His perfect timing. Turn your worries into prayers and leave them at His feet. We cannot carry the worries of the world on our shoulders! Lean on Him. 

    

Romans 8:26  Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. (ESV)

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. (ESV)

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. (ESV)

Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. (NIV)

    In our weakness, we also have access to our family of God. We build each other up so that we are all strong. Because if one member of the body is weak, we are all affected. That is why it is our duty to lovingly help the weak members build their strength back up so that all can be strong together as one. And if we are the weak one, we should not hesitate or be too proud to ask for help! Really to not ask for help could be seen as selfish because of the affect it has on others. It affects them whether they know of our weakness or not because we are not able to fulfill our role in the body when we are wounded. 

1 Corinthians 12:26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. (ESV)

Ecclesiastes 4:8-12  This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing.
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. (NLT)

    Another way of looking at weakness is also provided by Paul in 2 Corinthians. These verses interest me very much because Paul says that we should actually boast in our weaknesses! Fancy that. He tells us the following:

2 Corinthians 12:7-9 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (ESV)

    I think this perspective is incredible. We were created to live, as humans, in God's strength and not our own. Because God was using Paul so greatly and revealing to him revelations of heaven, Paul's ego threatened his faith. He was starting to feel like he had it all figured out and that he was better than everyone else. That eliminates the need for Jesus and His body. We are constantly to be living in realization of our great need of Jesus and the Jesus in His people. We are dependent and interdependent beings. If we lose that outlook, we lose our effectiveness. So in Paul's case, the Lord allowed for him to be harassed in some aspect of his life, so that he would stay humble and aware of his need.

    Our weaknesses reveal Christ's strength. When we cannot do it, He can. Others will see that and in turn, see the power of Christ at work in our lives. So no matter what we face, be at peace. The Lord has you in His arms. He has given you His people, the hope of His all-knowing plan and purpose for your life, and an opportunity to show Him off to the world even more! Be encouraged! He gives hope to the hopeless.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (ESV)