Looking For Hope?

In the dramatically interesting days that we are living in, with each new day, more and more people become discouraged. Some desperately hope that things will improve. Others have lost hope completely and are in a quandary of what to do.

As people try to asses and figure out just what is going on with our economy, most are looking for a glimmer a light. The truth of the matter is that there are lots of people who are desperate for any good news.

News reports that talk about unemployment figures only rising less than a decimal of a point higher than they did last month proves this. "Things may be looking up," some say. Others voice, "This economy may be starting to turn around."

While I love to be positive and certainly don't like to focus on negatives, those kinds of comments are simply opinions. I believe that a lot of times comments like those are based on hopes that things will indeed turn around soon.

In fact, I frequently hear that phrase in talking with people: "I hope things turn around soon." Well, I hope they do too. But, what if they don't turn around soon? I am not trying to be negative. I do believe that things will turn around at some point, but it may not be "soon."

The mere fact that things have not turned around yet has contributed to many people becoming discouraged and losing hope. Many of those who have been laid off in the past twelve months have lost hope of finding a new job. Scores of homeowners have lost hope of keeping their houses. And, many people have abandoned their future hopes and dreams.

A person loses hope when they feel powerless over circumstances in their lives. When a person feels that there is no way to control situations or issues that are affecting their lives directly, there is a temptation to lose hope.

When you lose hope, life seems to be at a dead end. Excitement and passion for living is replaced by discouragement and disgust. The current circumstances seem to bury any future possibilities.

But regardless of the economy, and regardless of what the news reports say, whether good or bad, you don't have to lose hope. You can have hope even in these trying times. There is hope!

A big key in having hope, or regaining your hope, is to ask yourself honestly, "Who do I trust?" Is it the government? Is it the stock market? Is it the housing market?

"I sure hope the housing market turns around." "I sure hope the stock market goes up." "I sure hope the government fixes the economy soon." Having trust and hope in those things is standing on shaky ground at best. Do you really want to put your trust in uncertainties? Many who have are now feeling hopeless.

Another very important question to consider is that if the stock market, and the housing market, and the economy do not turn around, does that mean that there is no hope for you? All of those things are indeed very important, but if their positive performances determine your well being, you could easily lose hope.

Why not look to God for answers? How about deciding to put your confidence in someone who is worth having confidence in?

I believe that there is a huge difference between just saying, "Have faith in God; just believe God and everything will be all right," and, actually having confidence, expectation and hope in God. The former can be just going through the motions and just saying the right thing. The later is having real confidence and looking for and expecting personal solutions for your personal problems.

If there is ever a situation, be it a recession, a depression, or even a famine, that God cannot help you personally with, then that would make God very limited. If that is true, then He is not the God you read about in the Bible. If that is true, then He has lost some of His ability and some of His willingness. If that is true, then the words in the Bible are useless and not applicable.

You choose to believe what you think is true. You choose who to trust. You can choose to accept the Bible as true; God has not lost any of His ability or wiliness. He is not limited in any way. And, He can provide a personal solution for your personal problems despite what is going on around you.

When you put your trust into that which is certain you will have real hope for the future. Don't lose your hope; put your trust in Him.