Hope(less)

Hopeless.

I know I’m not the only one fighting this feeling right now. Feeling like nothing is getting better, but rather growing worse. Hmm, where have I heard those words before?…

“And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,” Mark 5:26(KJV)

That’s the story of the woman with the issue of blood. She was sick, and only getting worse. But she reached out for Jesus. She found him in a crowd and grabbed the hem of His garment. He turned to her and said, “Who touched me?” Because He felt power go out of Him.

She was healed from that moment. And what originally looked hopeless, was instantly restored with just one touch from Jesus.

That all sounds good. Her faith was awesome. But what about me in my life right now? Feeling like I don’t even know what to pray for much less how to have great faith for it.

I came to Jesus, crumbled in a mess one morning and said those words. “Why do I feel hopeless?”

His answer was unexpected, “Good. Hope less.”

I know what you’re thinking. This does not sound like a faith statement, but hear me out.

David felt this same way I’m feeling. In Psalm 43 he writes what looks like my exact thoughts out.

“Vindicate me, my God, and plead my cause against an unfaithful nation. Rescue me from those who are deceitful and wicked. You are God my stronghold. Why have you rejected me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy? Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.” Psalm 43:1-4(NIV)

Life is falling apart on him. All the things that he originally depended on were no longer treating him well. He was oppressed by opposition. This was real life. Real enemies. Real plots against him.

David could see no way out of the mess. I think that’s what makes us feel hopeless- when there is no foreseeable solution. When we can’t find the light at the end of the trouble, we begin to get discouraged. BUT I have good news. Keep reading Psalm 43.

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Psalm 43:5(NIV)

Put your hope in God.

David makes a list of all the reasons he is so upset, then follows the list with, “Why are you so downcast?”

There are plenty of reasons to be downcast, afraid, dismayed, or worried. But there is a very simple solution to these feelings.

Hope less in the surroundings. Hope less in your own plans. Hope less in your solutions. Hope less in your own understanding. Hope less in your own expectations. Hope less in everything.

And instead, put that hope in God.

When we begin to feel hopeless, it’s because we need to hope less in anything and everything that isn’t God.

God doesn’t fail. He is a safe place to hold our hope. He will never let us down. He is strong. He is our Champion. He has already overcome every opposition against us. He has overcome the world.

“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)

I then understood what God was telling me. The current trials and troubles we are facing are good for our hope. Because it places Jesus back in the number one spot of provision. He is my provider. He is my healer. He is my safe place. He is my peace. He is my joy. He’s everything.

So throw everything else out. Don’t put your hope in the government, or America, or doctors, or men, or jobs, or yourself. Put your hope in God.

“Now this I know: The Lord gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. Lord, give victory to the king! Answer us when we call!” Psalm 20:6-9(NIV)

Be Blessed!