Hope in Hopelessness

Finding Hope in Hopelessness

We live in a world saturated with a sense of hopelessness. When hopelessness is not opposed it often turns into anxiety and depression. Depression doesn’t just attach itself to the unstable, but to normal people, such as mothers, fathers, businessmen, teachers, leaders, and pastors. Great men of the Bible, such as David, Job, and Moses, battled depression. Even Abraham Lincoln, one of the world’s greatest leaders, fought clinical depression all his life.

A sure way to fight hopelessness is with the Word of God. The Word is a light that saturates the darkness. The Word shows us possibility, because with God, all things are possible. Satan works in the playground of negativity, where our emotions often play. When we allow him to take our hope, he will also take our joy, and ultimately our strength. However, as long as we are alive, and no matter how bad our situations might be, there is hope because God exists.

If you battle depression, or you know someone who does, verbally pray the Word of God:

• “Anyone who is among the living has hope” (Ecclesiastes 9:4, NIV).
• “The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble” (Psalm 9:9, NASB).
• “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God” (Psalm 43:5, NIV).
• “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him” (Psalm 62:5, NIV).
• “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3, NKJV).
• “The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all” (Psalm 34:18–19, NIV). 
• “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee” (Isaiah 26:3, KJV).
• “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27, ESV).
• “Everything is possible for one who believes” (Mark 9:23, NIV).
• “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7, NKJV).
• “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (I Peter 5:7, NIV).

Colleen Clabaugh

Guest Writer