Biblical Answer

As a pastor, I've seen my fair share of struggles with hopelessness. It's a feeling that can be overwhelming, especially when it seems like all our dreams have crashed. But, as I've learned from Scripture, hope is not just a feeling, it's a choice. When our hopes are deferred, it can indeed make the heart sick, as Proverbs 13:12 says. But, it's in those moments that we must choose to hold onto hope, not just for ourselves, but for the people around us who depend on us.

You see, when we kill hope, we're not just killing our own dreams, we're killing the future. We're saying that there's no reason to get out of bed, to love, or to work, because there's nothing ahead of us. But, as Christians, we know that's not true. We have a God who is always with us, who will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). We have a God who will never put us in a situation where a sinful response is the only way out (1 Corinthians 10:13). And, we have a God who promises to give us hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).

So, when our hopes are gone, we must choose to hold onto the hope that God offers. We must pray for eyes to see the realities that are present now, that can sustain our hopes. We must remember that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). And, we must trust that God is always working, even when we can't see it. As a pastor, I've seen time and time again that when we choose to hold onto hope, even when it seems like there's nothing left, God will surprise us with a new dawn, a new chance, and a new hope.