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Reaching out to God—He Is Our Hope When All Hope Seems Lost

THE LIE: “It’s hopeless; things will never get better.”

THE TRUTH: Nothing is impossible with God. Reach out and grab on to Him when  my life spins out of control. He will show me the truth.

At times we all feel trapped inside the current version of ourselves, and we don’t like it one bit. We want to change—to be bigger or better, healthier or stronger, more patient or less paranoid—but we succumb to an overpowering fear and negativity that convinces us change is impossible. Some of us give up fighting and submit to the belief that this is as good as it’s ever going to get. We surrender to an enemy that’s never even fired a shot at us. We’re overcome by voices that fill our heads with lies.

Recognize, too, that some lies are not as easy to identify. They’re harder to discern because they masquerade as the truth, and it’s tricky to tell the difference. This is where we lean on the Holy Spirit, Who speaks to us in our soul (I like to call it “my gut”); the Word of God, which is the ultimate standard by which we gauge the truth and validity of any thought; and the wisdom and discernment of trusted friends who love Jesus and have insights, can also help guide us.

Next, bring the lie into the open, into the light of day, so it can’t run around in the dark like a crazy little cockroach in your head. This is precisely where the community of faith can be an invaluable source of clarity for you.

Then, replace the lie with the truth, beginning with a prayer to God. You need someone else to extract you from the quagmire of yourself, and that’s where Jesus comes in. Prayer is more than an item to check off your daily to-do list. It’s a necessity for survival.

When I feel like things will never get better, I pray something like this: “Jesus, I don’t want to stay stuck. My mind is telling me things will never get better, but I know You love me. Your Word tells me you died to save me. Please fill me with Your Spirit. Give me confidence that You are greater and stronger than what I am feeling right now. I choose to put my trust in You and what You say about me.”

Offer a prayer to God acknowledging the areas of fear and anxiety in your life today. Choose to put your trust in what the Lord says about you. Continue this practice until a pattern of hope and possibility begins to emerge in your prayer life.