Feeling Hopeless?
An unexpected phone call. The
loss of a job. An epidemic. A broken relationship. Political conflict and seemingly random
violence. All around us, things seem to
be falling apart. Situations beyond our
control often leave us feeling hopeless. It’s a struggle to find peace amidst the chaos
of our lives and the world we live in.
When these situations arise, we may ask ourselves questions like,
“Will this ever end? What did I do to
deserve this? Does anyone even care? Will I ever find hope?”
People throughout the Bible struggled with these same feelings. When Naomi lost her husband and sons, she
lamented, “The LORD has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune
upon me.” (Ruth 1:21) After a period
of great suffering, Job went so far as to ask God, “Why did I not perish at
birth, and die as I came from the womb?” (Job 3:11) And Jesus himself, in the depths of pain and
suffering on the cross, cried out in despair “My God, my God, why have you
forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46) Scripture
makes it clear that no one is exempt from these feelings of hopelessness.
The Heidelberg Catechism, a preaching and teaching tool that came
out of the Reformation, proposes a question in light of this reality, “What
is your only comfort in life and death?” As you read this, your answer might be, “I have
no such comfort.” [1] You may feel like nothing in your life has
ever offered sufficient relief or peace in the midst of the pain and hardships
you’ve experienced. If that’s how you
feel, you are not alone, and there is hope for you.
Jesus assured His followers, “And surely I am with you always,
to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) The same is true for you. And although being a Christian does not
guarantee a life free of pain or suffering, it does provide hope. In a world full of trials and change, Jesus
Christ, who never leaves us alone, is our comfort.
In these days that seem to offer little hope, I pray that you will
find your only comfort in Jesus. Although
sin and evil still exist in our world, Jesus came to establish the kingdom of
God.
It
is to Jesus that you belong!
