When things seem hopeless, we get to choose how we will respond. How do we maintain our hope and faith when situations look hopeless? We can employ the same strategies Abraham used. God richly rewarded him for his obedience and he is now known as the father of faith.
A reader sent in a question to Ask Dr. B.
Dear Dr. B
Have you ever had one of those days (weeks, months or years even) when things just seemed to go from not great to bad to worse? When things felt hopeless? That’s where I’m at. What do you do then?
Sincerely,
Seeking Hope
Dear Seeking,
I’ve had plenty of times like that, when life just seems to spin out of control. And I like to be in control. So times like that don’t mesh well with my personality.
If I’m being open and honest with you, I’d have to admit that sometimes my initial response isn’t the best response. I’ve often gotten tied up in frustration. Or agitation. Or anxiety…which has often then led to me feeling overwhelmed. If the situation has gone on too long, I’ve been known to get down, sometimes to the point of feeling hopeless.
Let me assure you from my own experience, you are not alone. And even though it felt like it at the time, neither was I. Many go through times like this in their life. The good news is that God promises never to leave us or forsake us.
Life has a way of throwing us curves, and sometimes mountains and valleys. Circumstances and situations will come out of nowhere like a summer thunderstorm in Florida, leaving us soaked and beaten down.
I’ve found, however, that whatever we focus on grows.
So when I focus on how bad things are, before long, all I can see is the bad. But when I focus on the goodness of God, the more I experience His good heart toward me.
I’m comforted to see that God knew we would struggle and He gave us His word to instruct us and guide us, and godly men to lead by example.
“When everything was hopeless, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw he couldn’t do but on what God said he could do” (Romans 4:18 MSG).
Abraham led by example, and acts as a guide to us today. When things seemed hopeless, he responded with these three strategies:
How do you have faith when things seem hopeless?
1. When he was hopeless, he believed anyway, despite what he saw and felt in his human experience.
It’s been said that faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Abraham maintained his faith, kept believing in the sovereignty of God, in the provision of God, in the faithfulness of God even when he didn’t see.
What do you do when your situation seems hopeless?
2. When everything around him was hopeless, Abraham was intentional.
He believed anyway and made a decision on how he was going to live.
When crises come, they are more easily managed when we’ve already decided ahead of time how we will respond. We can’t trust our emotions when we’re feeling anxious, down, or helpless, so deciding ahead of time how we will respond will buoy our strength when the hurricanes of life threaten to take us under.
How can we have hope when everything looks hopeless?
3. When everything in life looked hopeless, Abraham focused his attention on God rather than his problems.
Abraham decided to live his life based on what God could do rather than what Abraham could do in his own strength. He believed God was greater than his circumstance.
Remember I said that whatever we focus on grows? Abraham focused on God and what God could do. And God did not disappoint. God rewarded Abraham’s faithfulness and made him a father of nations.
So when things seem hopeless, remember we can’t see the whole scenario from beginning to resolution. But God can. Focus on the solver of your problems rather than on the problems themselves.
Because of Him, Hope Prevails!
DrB
Depression doesn’t have to become a permanent part of life.
There is hope.
Hope Prevails: Insights From a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression and the companion Hope Prevails Bible Study help the reader understand how depression comes to be, recover their joy, reclaim their peace, and re-establish their true identity, while knowing their worth, remembering their secure destiny, and being confident that nothing separates them from God’s love.
Hope Prevails and the Hope Prevails Bible Study are must-reads for anyone suffering from depression or knows someone suffering from depression.
“If you or a loved one are walking through the valley of depression, be encouraged that you are not alone. Dr. Michelle Bengtson has provided a powerful resource to help you on your journey toward hope. It is a personal and positive book, as you learn from Dr. Bengtson’s own story as well as her practical knowledge in the field. I love how she shares a prescription, a prayer and a playlist at the end of each chapter to give you an extra boost of strength. Hope Prevails is a must read for every person who struggles with depression.”
Karol Ladd
Author of Thrive, Don’t Simply Survive
How. This is phenomenal. It is only God who led me to you blog today. What an amazing gift you have. This post is a real treat.
Thank you Faithful Fashionable Diva. It’s always my prayer that I would effectively communicate the truths He has laid on my heart. I hope we will see you back regularly!! Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
I am divorced after 20 years. I have also just lost my second Chile to a drug overdose. I need hope. Rita Curtiss
Love this post today!
I’ve tweeted several of your quotes, and I’m going to share your post on Facebook at this link: https://www.facebook.com/pages/HeartLife-Soul-Care/837320329648449?ref=hl
Your words have blessed me and really encouraged my heart today! We are dealing with some things that are challenging our faith. I am comforted by your words today, especially this reminder: “So when things seem hopeless, remember we can’t see the whole scenario from beginning to resolution. But God can. Focus on the solver of your problems rather than on the problems themselves.”
Came over on Faith Filled Friday~
Blessings,
Melanie
Melanie, I’m so glad you were encouraged by your visit here. I am praying that whatever it is you are dealing with, will leave you with a greater revelation of His love for you. Rest in His faithfulness. He already knows the way out. Because of Him, Hope Prevails!
Thank you for this hopeful posting. I think it filled your own heart also with joy, while you wrote about this beautiful truth. We have a God who can give hope in hopeless situations. Let’s put everything in His hands, every single day. Thank you dear sister in Christ. May the Lord bless you with inspiration and courage this week.
Thank you for your sweet words of encouragement Ariella! Our God is wonderful at giving hope in hopeless situations!! It is Because of Him, that Hope Prevails!
Hi, Michelle, Thanks for sharing these encouraging words with us at Grace and Truth last week! 🙂 I really like the tip that crises are easier to handle if we decide ahead of time how to respond – truth!
Jen @ Being Confident of This
Thanks for stopping by Jen! We all have those times that are hard. Planning doesn’t take away the “hard” but it can make it more navigable! Blessings!
I love this! I used to think that being free of fear was hopeless. My body responds to the anxiety caused by fear and I have seemingly no control over it at least for years no control until the Lord took it away. I am free from the control of fear so my life is NOT hopeless when it comes to operating in fear. Fear is not the boss of me but trust and faith are. Thank you for this beautiful message of HOPE. My hubby calls point number 2, being intentional, a ‘pre-determined response’. Know what you will do if a certain situation happens. Nothing is hopeless even thought the feelings may be compelling God’s promises are yes and amen, for sure and will happen. God’s perspective is always the best way to go.
I had a heart broken for 2 nights and I can’t stop crying and God knows all about it already so I need some prayers and peace and healing put back together again. I feel lost and hopeless right now but I know I still have God by my side at all times no matter what I do and no matter where I go. He loves me and I love him.
Thank you for this heartwarming and supportive faith-filled blog post. I was surfing on the internet, looking for something to help my broken heart over my hubby’s family crises. It’s not coincident I land on this, but God wants to heal and encourage me. I call a point to #Focus on the solver of your problems rather than on the problems themselves.
May God bless you with inspiration and encouragement.
Thanks!