When so much seems hopeless

“Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the Northeaster, swept down from the island. The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along… When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved” (Acts 27:14-15, 20, NIV).

Hopelessness. Even giants of the faith like Luke and the Apostle Paul felt hopeless at times. On those stormy seas, there was no reason to believe that God would ever help them reach safe harbor. All seemed lost. There was nothing left for them to do but wait for the end to come. Or so many of them thought.

Do you know what that feels like? You don’t want to feel that way, but sometimes the skies are so dark, and the storm is so overwhelming, you cannot see a way out or a way forward. Perhaps your prayers have been a bit like King David’s:

“How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your facefrom me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Look on me and answer, LORD my God. Give light to my eyes,or I will sleep in death, and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall” (Psalm 13:1-5, NIV).

David’s faith amid the storms

David could not understand why God was not intervening on his behalf, and he feared being humiliated by his enemies or even death. Nevertheless, in his terrifying situation, he does not succumb to hopelessness. He continues his prayer by declaring, “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the LORD’S praise, for he has been good to me” (Psalm 13:1-6, NIV).

David couldn’t be certain of his future, but he kept holding on to his faith in the goodness of God. Why? Because he had experienced God’s loving presence and help in the past. He had been in similar situations before—unjust persecution, attacks by enemies, betrayals, death of two sons, plagues, and other life-threatening crises. Yet, no matter what he had to face, time after time, he wound up praising God—not for the suffering he and others had to endure, but because, in the end, God had not abandoned him. And that’s what he was counting on in his present circumstances.

Paul’s trust in God’s will

In the Apostle Paul’s situation, everyone had given up all hope that their lives would be saved. Yet, totally unexpectedly, an angel appeared to assure him that he would not die because God still had important work for him to do (Acts 27:21-26). In the end, the ship was indeed destroyed, but God saved Paul, Luke, and all those who were with them on that voyage (27:39-44), not because God always saves those who rely on him, but because of God’s will and purposes.

We don’t know how Paul was coping with the crisis as it was happening, but based on everything we know from his testimonies and letters to the churches, we can be pretty sure that he was at peace. Why? Because, he too, believed in the goodness of God and trusted in God’s will for his life. As long as there was work for him to do, God would protect him. And when his work was finished, he was more than ready to go to be with the Lord (see Phil. 1:19-26).

Well, that’s David and Paul. How about you?

Hope amid hopelessness

How are you coping with your hardships and suffering? As you’re watching and waiting to see what’s going to happen amid so much uncertainty about the future, beware of yielding to the temptation to think and act like a victim, to become passive, or to be get buried in a state of hopelessness.

Remember how God has been good to you in the past and how much your relationship with him means to you. Get up each day and live as the child of God that you are. Keep praying for inner peace amid the storm and for whatever strength you need to care for yourself, your family, and those around you. If Christ is in you, let his light and love shine through you in whatever ways you can. God has called you to live with purpose and meaning, until your last breath.

Your circumstances may indeed appear hopeless, but you can still live in hopeful ways. Don’t give up. Not now. Not ever. Be the hope you are looking for.

With the love of Jesus,

Dr. Tim