When Life Looks Hopeless

When life looks hopeless, hold on to God. No mater what happens or how discouraging your situation may become, never stop clinging to the Lord. He is faithful, and He will most certainly help you. Keep trusting Him - regardless of how your circumstances appear.

I write this to you today because all of us have walked through valleys at one time or another in life. Each of us has wept over difficulties and struggles we thought we couldn't survive. We lay awake at night, wondering, “God, what am I going to do? I don't know how to go on.” We're not sure how to face the decisions and consequences that will come. The pain and emptiness overwhelm us.

I imagine that is how James Cash Penney felt when he lost $40 million in the stock market crash of 1929, becoming deathly ill from the stress of his circumstances. Seven million dollars in debt, false accusations of his fiscal impropriety lodged against him, emotionally and physically spent, Penney wrote, “I was convinced I would never see another dawn. I wrote farewell letters to my family. Then I waited for the end – a failure at the age of 56.”

Although Penney felt as if he has no future, God had other plans. At the Battle Creek Sanitarium in Michigan where he was being treated for his illness, Penney one day heard the hymn, “God Will Take Care of You,” and he decided to trust the Lord Jesus as his Savior, Not only did he survive, he also lived into his nineties, founding a financial empire through the JCPenney's stores.

Perhaps you are experiencing devastating difficulties today or see disturbing troubles on the horizon. Maybe you lack a sense of direction or real purpose. You might even wonder if you need to give up on your goals and dreams because you feel like you don't measure up and will never deserve the good things you desire.

As such times, you may be tempted to seek refuge in earthly comforts such as wealth, possessions, food, or activities. Perhaps you throw yourself more deeply into ministry, trying to hide your hurt, but becoming more wounded in the process. You may even attempt to isolate yourself from the world, pushing everyone away. Don't. These things promise to comfort your hurting soul, but will eventually cause you more pain.

Instead, cling to the only One who can truly help you overcome all of your difficulties – Jesus Christ. As 1 Peter 5:7 admonishes, cast “all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” How do you do so? Here are some principles that will help you through the most difficult times.

First, whenever you are tempted to think about your circumstances – and the empty feeling of hopelessness wells within you – realize it is an important indication that you should be in prayer. The emotions you're experiencing are a warning sign to your spirit, revealing your utter need for the Father. He is calling you...drawing you into a relationship with Him. Go to Him with an open heart, and invite Him to teach you.

Second, commit yourself to God and whatever He has planned for your future. Did you know that one of the biggest gold deposits ever excavated in this nation was discovered just two inches beneath the spot where a previous miner had given up? There are many wonderful blesses that you will forfeit if you quit now. Don't miss out on the good things the Father has for you because you are discouraged. Devote yourself to the Lord, and He will strengthen you to go on.

Third, claim God's promises to always love and never forsake us. Often, when we experience loss, rejection, or we fail at something important, we attribute our painful feelings to our own sense of worth. We begin to we don't deserve acceptance or anything good. But the Father promises to love us unconditionally, and our job is simply to accept His everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3; 1 John 4:9-11). Deuteronomy 31:8 assures, “The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

Fourth, cling to God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, regardless of what happens, with the knowledge that He ultimately provides what is absolutely best for you. Understanding this principle will help you get through the most difficult times in your life, because when you turn to Him for help, He will comfort your hurting soul and fill the emptiness with hope.

No matter what happens in your lives, don't let go of the Savior. Respond to your feeling of discouragement with prayer. Commit yourself to trusting His plan, regardless of the circumstances. Claim His unfailing promises and cling to His loving presence. He can and will help you through this. So hold on to God. He knows the pathway to victory in your situation and is simply waiting for you to trust Him to lead the way.

Charles Stanley
October 2010
Prayer Letter