Rescue: Finding God In Life's ChallengesShembull

"Hopelessness" 

Perhaps there are a privileged few who flutter through life without any calamity. But for the rest of us who have tasted loss, death, suffering, hurt, dead-ends, fear, loneliness, poverty, shame or doubt, hopelessness is an inevitable stage through which we must pass. If, as you read this, you are experiencing one or several of these emotions and find yourself in the Valley of the Shadow of Death, you have my sympathy.

Stuck two miles below the surface, out of food and with every rescue attempt failing, the 33 Chilean miners knew all-too-well the millstone of hopelessness. 

You’re in pain.  You’re losing all hope.  You’re paralyzed with fear.

Of course, in times such as these, the very last thing you want to hear is some bumper-sticker, Christian-lite platitude like “Let Go and Let God!” or “Too Blessed Be Stressed!” 

But there are two things we must learn to trust in these dark-night-of-the-soul seasons. And that’s today’s lesson.

The Bible Knows Hopelessness is Real

Far from throw-pillow platitudes and greeting-card happy talk, the Bible is packed with men and women constantly staring into the abyss of hopelessness.  Adam, Eve, Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Job Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ruth, David, Mary, Joseph, Jesus, the Disciples, Stephen, Paul and on and on and on. Always remember that this is not a book that shies away from the reality of catastrophe and tragedy. Far from it!  The Bible finds all of its characters neck deep in the quicksand with no escape in sight. 
In other words, they are companions on your journey, and they know your pain.

God is Still God

In times of utter hopelessness, when you’re crying out and wondering where God is in all of this, remember that God doesn’t get a free pass.  Nope, He’s made promises to us. And it’s either all real, or it’s not. So He better show up!  Too brash?  Too demanding?  God doesn’t think so.  For every one of those Biblical figures, He did show up!  But He showed up on his terms, which was not always their terms.

Consider this a lifeline to your drowning soul. This is the time where you should desperately cling to the promises of God.  These promises exist for these moments of crisis! So read them, get a finger hold and hang on.