Saturday 20 January 2018

Hope Lost Hope Regained


Perhaps one of the most tragic and damaging thing that can befall man is the loss of hope. Whatever our situation may be, if we lose hope, if we cannot see the prospect of our situation changing for the better, we are in danger of shutting down completely and accepting the inevitable outcome.

We live in difficult times. Financial crises are affecting many people. Millions are losing their jobs, their homes and their livelihood.

Those aged fifty or more would find it very difficult to find a comparable job again, if indeed they can find any job at all. More tragically, the thousands of youngsters leaving colleges and universities with good qualifications, and little prospects of employment. They feel cheated. They did what they were advised to do. They stayed in education, they worked hard, they probably amassed large debts and loans to help sustain them whilst they studied – and now there are no jobs to go to.

There are of course other circumstances which can lead us to lose hope, besides illness, or lack of work and so on. Broken relationships with no prospect of reconciliation, addictions, failures etc … all can lead us to the temptation to just give up.

Where’s all this leading to? – I hear you ask.

I’d like you for a moment to consider some facts.

Whatever happens in life one thing is for certain: God is still in control. He is not hiding away behind the settee crying: “Woe woe … look at what is happening out there!”

He is in total control of the situation which He has allowed to happen, and which, in most circumstances, we have created for ourselves.

The writer of the letter to the Hebrews knew what he was saying when he wrote: To have Faith is to be sure of the things we hope for … (Hebrews 11).

And the important thing, whatever our circumstances, is to hold on to that Faith and to believe, in all certainty, that God is in control. And to thank Him and praise Him for being in control. To re-affirm and acknowledge our belief that He is in control.

By doing so, somehow, we open a channel for God to turn our situation to the good. I’ve seen this happen several times.

Think of the alternative. By turning our back on God, by ignoring Him, blaming Him even for our situation – He will hardly feel inclined to help us. Will He? Of course, He’ll remain in control, waiting for us, with Fatherly patience, love and understanding, for the moment we return to Him like the prodigal son and be welcomed in His arms.

But what do you do if someone else has lost hope – even though you may not have yourself?

Preaching will not help. It may drive them further away.

Love, sympathy, compassion, whatever practical help you can offer may well help a little.

But most important is prayer. Silent prayer even. Without them knowing about it.

Let your Faith and your hope work for them. Even though they may have little or no Faith at all, your Faith is enough.

The best listened to and answered prayers are those we pray for other people. They show God our generosity of spirit, our love, our compassion, and most of all, our Faith in Him.

Don’t suggest solutions to God; like “Please help Him find a job”, but earnestly and in all Faith hand the situation over to Him. He knows what to do, in His time and in His own way.

Just say: “Thy will be done” and mean it.

And watch His miracles at work.

16 comments:

  1. A five ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Post!!! Thank you so much, Come Holy Spirit, come, come, come. May all who read inhale the aroma and delight in the Lord

    πŸ’”Don't lose heart, persevere in prayer, imagine da taste
    Oh so sweet da victory with the help of God' grace
    Knowing that it's a "when" & not an "if" that we'll win da spiritual race
    \πŸ˜‡/
    |
    / \ http://gigapostolate.weebly.com tmm/PTL

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  2. Great post, Victor. I have been throwing around this "control" thought this week also. It is providing a great re-examination of what I believe!
    Blessings!

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    1. Hello Lulu,

      Great to see you here again. As humans, we like to think we are in control of our own destiny, of our own lives and of everything. But in reality we are in control of nothing. God is in control and all we have has been given us by Him.

      God bless you my friend.

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  3. Always, always pray "Thy will be done." May we all put our complete hope and trust in the Lord.
    Blessings, Victor!

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    1. Amen my dear friend. We should pray "Thy will be done" and mean it. Not always easy.

      God bless you, Martha.

      Delete
  4. Always a good a reminder about wanting control the outcomes of others close to us and those very distant. Thanks for the post. Thy will be done.

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    1. Hi Chris,

      How great to see you visiting me here. Thanx. Please visit again soon.

      You are right my friend. God's will be done always.

      God bless.

      Delete
  5. Victor #1... We know that it's always important to put God first in all things... Through His Spirit, He is able to guide us (usual sinners) step by step towards Victory in Hope...

    Father Lord Almighty I commit everything unto Your Holy Blessed Trinity which will lead us (usual sinners) through all needs and desires in line with YOUR PERFECT WILL...

    Thy Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    I'll close by wishing you, your family and friends a happy and healthy 2018 Blessing in The Name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. A-men.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for your nice comment Victor. May I wish you and your family a splendid New Year full of peace, hope, happiness and good health.

      God bless.

      Delete
  6. Though raging billows roll
    And winds are contrary
    Fear need not fill us with dismay -
    The Lord is in control.

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  7. Hi Victor! I know all about a 50 something losing their job and being unable to find employment. My husband was out of job for two years. He now has a part time job driving a bus, happy as a clam. Funny how God works, that's for sure.

    I don't know that I was hopeless, but I was angry. I just didn't get how he could be so devalued. It seemed like God wasn't listening to me either. But God has his plans, and they are not mine! Faith. Trust. That's the key to living in peace.
    Blessings,
    Ceil

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    1. I can understand fully what you mean about your husband, Ceil. Here in the UK the situation is very bad with many either out of work or on "zero hours" contract. This means you get ready in the morning for work and, if you are lucky, you get a phone call and go to your job, - cleaner, teacher, shop assistant or whatever. There are no guaranteed hours and sometimes/often you get ready for work and get no phone call that day. Average work is about 25 hours a week - not enough to sustain one's self. You are not allowed to register with two "employers" - two shops or two work agencies. So you're left trapped with one zero hours contract and hope for the best.

      As you say, we must have faith and trust in God.

      God bless.

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  8. powerful.

    Victor, were you on Gather.com many years ago?

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God bless you.