HOPELESSNESS

Hopelessness is grief in a different form. Feelings of despair come from a deep sense of loss. When the Biblical character named Job was blasted by one enormous loss after another, he said, “My spirit is broken.” Then he spoke about the dire results of his broken spirit.

Whatever pain and sense of hopelessness you are going through is similar to feelings of grief, and grief is an affliction of the human spirit that needs healing. Whatever loss you have suffered, whatever your sense of having no direction or purpose, we offer you thoughts to ponder that come from Scripture and from Jim Kok.

His materials are in the form of articles that he has written, relevant postings from our 'Thoughts from Jim' column, and a recommended section from one of his books.

Psalm 42: 9-11

Sometimes I ask God, my rock-solid God, “Why did you let me down? Why am I walking around in tears, harassed by enemies?” …

Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God—soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God.

2 Corinthians 1:8-11

We don’t want you in the dark, friends, about how hard it was when all this came down on us … As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened. Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally … And he’ll do it again, rescuing us as many times as we need rescuing. You and your prayers are part of the rescue operation—I don’t want you in the dark about that either. I can see your faces even now, lifted in praise for God’s deliverance of us, a rescue in which your prayers played such a crucial part.

Matthew 5:4

You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

2 Corinthians 4:8-12

We’ve been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we’re not demoralized; we’re not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do; we’ve been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn’t left our side; we’ve been thrown down, but we haven’t broken. What they did to Jesus, they do to us—trial and torture, mockery and murder; what Jesus did among them, he does in us—he lives! Our lives are at constant risk for Jesus’ sake, which makes Jesus’ life all the more evident in us. While we’re going through the worst, you’re getting in on the best!

Psalm 30:4-5

You who are faithful to the Lord, sing praises to him; give thanks to his holy name! …Weeping may stay all night, but by morning, joy!

Psalm 147:3-6

He heals the heartbroken and bandages their wounds. He counts the stars and assigns each a name. Our Lord is great, with limitless strength; we’ll never comprehend what he knows and does. God puts the fallen on their feet again and pushes the wicked into the ditch.

OFFERING CARE TO THOSE FEELING HOPELESS

God is touched by the cries, groans and tears of his people. So, too, we are called to be responsive to the plight of those around us.

Compassion insists that we reach out to those in need and do whatever we can to free them from despair and feelings of hopelessness. We must find ways to support and encourage those in any kind of bondage and heartache that life might bring.

To assist you in offering support and encouragement, suggested articles that Jim Kok has written are listed below, as well as relevant postings from our 'Thoughts from Jim' column. Chapters from books written by Jim Kok are listed, and helpful scripture verses. Draw from them to better equip yourself to offer help, love, and support to others.

Articles from Care Capsules

90% of Helping Is Just Showing Up!

The Vision Comes ALIVE!

Care For Me

Carpe Diem

Check Your Story At The Door

Dare to Care

Do Tell Your Story!

Do You Have To Be Asked?

Do You Have Two Ears? Or Three?

Do You Notice My Pain?

Does It Really Show?