Life can be hard but we can always find hope in difficult situations. In fact, when we have the right hope we can be assured things will always work in our favour. When faced with difficult situations it is the hardest time to see this assurance. Yet it is the most necessary time for us to be hopeful. This is because a difficult situation will bring us to a very hard place where we can either hope or yield. Yield in the sense that if we do not hope in difficulty, then we will succumb to our circumstances by default.
“Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:5).
The good news is that hope is always at our disposal because hope is always present. There is never a time when we can lose our hope if we keep holding to it. In deeper terms, hope holds us even in times we are too weak to hold on. When you have been battered in the mortar of life you will understand the nothingness you can be reduced to. Yet you will also be a witness of the living hope we have in these impossible situations.
The truth is that we have a living hope Who is able to guide us from every storm.
We Have A Living Hope
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
Knowledge is power. As we seek to find hope in difficult situations we must know the source of our hope. If we lack knowledge of this hope then how can we even begin to move on? The fact is that there can never be any moving forward without hope. Hope is like the fuel that keeps us going when we run on empty.
The healing news we have is that as the scripture says in 1 Peter 1:3, we have new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. What this means is that we have an eternal amount of hope that cannot run out. Because of this we can be confident that in every situation things will work out for our good.
6 ways to find hope in difficult situations
It can be difficult to find hope in life, yet it’s essential for your mental and emotional well-being. Here are 6 ways to help you find hope in challenging times:
1. Practice Gratitude
There are always things we can be thankful for. You must realize that you are never in the worst situation. Some time ago I was driving to work and feeling overwhelmed from the issues of life. I remember how overshadowed I was that I couldn’t take the time to give thanks. Due to how hopeless I felt, I wasn’t even able to think clearly.
That day I questioned God on why it had to be that way. However while driving I saw this homeless man, all beaten up and dirty. He was sleeping on the streets, living in a shack and begging at the roadside. At that moment God reminded me of all the things I had to give thanks for. I had a home, I had a car, I had family, I had health and strength and I was going to a job. At once I started to truly give thanks because I realized how blessed I was.
Many times we find ourselves in situations we are so overshadowed that we’re unable to give thanks. Yet we must always be gracious for our circumstances knowing that things could always be worst.
2. Connect with Supportive People
One things we can do in difficult times is connect with supportive people. These can be friends, family or a therapist, who can offer encouragement. Sometimes just talking about you difficulties can provide relief.
In our hopelessness we have a special need that most times require help. We must not be afraid to seek the help we need. When we do not seek help, a little situation can result in a much bigger one. Similarly a hopeless situation that is not dealt with will result in a more hopeless and life crippling one. As a result seek help before it’s too late.
3. Meditation and Mindfulness:
Meditation and mindfulness can help us greatly to find hope in difficult situations. The main objective of mindfulness and meditation is to take some time to think right. I say think right because in difficult and hopeless situations we often cannot think clearly. Earlier I spoke about the occasion with the homeless person, and how I was not able to be thankful because I wasn’t thinking right. What I did in that moment was I stepped back from all the noise and looked at the reality around me.
It is often when we take a step back that we are able to see clearly. Consider being in the midst of a crowd and how hard it is to view that crowd from within it. We have to step out of the crowd in order to properly see it. It’s the same concept when we are faced with difficult times. We often have to meditate (which is our step back) in order to see more clearly.
There are many benefits to daily meditation that can help us to find hope in hopelessness. We should be cognizant of these and also use them at our disposal.
4. Learn from Past Experiences
When faced with difficulty we often forget about past victories we have had and past successes we have witnessed. Yet we must constantly reflect on previous challenges we’ve overcome. Remember how you managed to find hope and strength in those situations. It is the same you travelling with the same God who is able to do the same thing for you.
In my book Broken: Yet Destined to be Healed, I write about how God has delivered my from all my difficulties. And that the only one He has not delivered me from is the one He is now bringing me through. I use this reminder to help me find hope when it seems all is lost and over.
5. Accepting Your Situation.
There is power in accepting the things we cannot change. When we do not have control then we must learn how to be faithful and to trust the process. As we do this we permit God to help us in our faithfulness. We might not be able to control every situation but we can alway direct our faith towards God.
Pay careful attention to the emotions you experience in your hopelessness and learn how to accept and cope with them. It’s normal for humans to feel sadness, anger, or fear. Yet we must learn how to control these emotions first by accepting them and learning how to deal with them. This process can be very helpful on our healing journey.
6. Find Inspiration:
There are many resources that can help us in our hopelessness.These can be books, movies, blogs or motivational videos. We must both seek out these resources and find inspiration from them. When we read books, watch movies, or listen to stories of people who have overcome adversity, we can learn from them and be better equipped our own trials.
One of my favourite books to read in challenging times is the Bible. The Bible is filled with the water of encouragement we need to go on. When I feel alone, I am reminded of the scripture that says You are never alone.
I often listen to other people’s testimonies and realize that my situation is nothing compared to their own. When this happens automatically I begin to give thanks.
Bible verses that Will Help Us to find hope in difficult situations
1. "I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God."
2. "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 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."
3. "I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word, I put my hope."
4. "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure."
5. "Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
6. "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."
7. "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."
8. "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."
9. "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
10. "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."
Conclusion
Never forget that there can never be a time when there is not hope. This is because of the living hope we have in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Also remember that finding hope is a process, and it may not happen overnight. Be patient with yourself and know that it’s okay to seek help when needed. Your ability to find hope can be a powerful tool in navigating difficult situations and emerging stronger on the other side. Continue to hope and never give up. Be Blessed!
