Overcoming Hopelessness
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.
Hebrews 6:19
There was a man who was abruptly awakened by a bright light in his room. The heavenly encounter was accompanied with a clear impression on his mind. When he woke up the next morning, he knew what his calling was. He had to speak out against the slaughter of unborn children. The task was formidable. Many states had laws that needed to overturned, but that seemed unlikely since the Supreme Court had legalized abortion. The liberal press favored the “rights” of mothers to abort their children. So where should he start?
First, he needed to educate himself. So he read volumes about reproduction and medical ethics. He wrote letters to the editors of magazines and newspapers. He worked to elect local politicians who shared his views. He marched for pro-life and picketed abortion clinics. He worked tirelessly for years, but he grew more and more disillusioned with his progress. He fought off bitterness against his perceived adversaries and the flaming darts of the enemy, who was relentless.
Look at your feeble efforts, the devil said. You’re not accomplishing anything. So why don’t you quit and have a little fun in life! The devil’s advice was tempting, but the man took his case to the Lord one night. “God,” he said, “I feel like a failure. I am so discouraged. I wanted to please you, but nothing seems to have changed.” In the stillness of night, another heavenly impression came to his mind. My child, I asked you to speak out against abortion, and this you have done. You have renewed your mind, learned how to speak the truth in love, and put on the armor of God. You are more patient, kind and loving than you were before, and yet you feel hopeless because you have not impacted the laws of the land or stopped the press of the ungodly. I never I asked you to do that. I, my child, will “convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment.”
If you want to feel discouraged and depressed, try assuming God’s responsibility for Him. In this world we are going to face negative circumstances and inevitable losses. Suffering is part of our sanctification. “We boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit” (Romans 5:2-5).
This job seems hopeless, so I think I will change jobs. This marriage seems hopeless, so I think I will dump this one and look for another spouse. Such are the musings of the hopeless. There may be times when we need to change jobs and move, but in many cases what we really need to do is hang in there and grow up! We only make matters worse if we keep running away from the lessons of life.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4). This is not Christian masochism. This is how we can have proven character—and that is the basis for our hope in God.
questions to consider:
Why do some get discouraged serving God and standing for righteousness?
Why is it so important that we know who is responsible for what? What are some of the consequences if we don’t?
Is a Christian ever hopeless? Why or why not?
What causes you to be discouraged in serving God?
How can you avoid becoming depressed over the seemingly lack of progress?
Neil T. Anderson is the founder of Freedom in Christ Ministries. He began the ministry in 1989 and continues to spread the message of freedom to this day.