Finding Hope

And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.

Psalm 39:7 esv

Those suffering from depression search for relief from its grip. Whether our experience is related to a loss or the unexplained sadness that takes over our lives, this emotional disease saps our ability to know what to do next. Our thinking can become unclear, and we can lose our ability to focus. Without some way to cope with what we feel, we can approach the abyss of hopelessness.

What is hope? Hope is the anchor of life. Hope is the unshakeable belief that things will get better. We have hope when we have proof that things are moving in the right direction, even if that movement seems small—so small it might take others to point it out to us.

What does hope look like with depression? Hope is that we will start to feel better. That we’ll start to feel excitement about the simple things in life again. Hope is the realization that we will make it through. Hope is different from a wish. Hope is not necessarily rooted in something tangible; it’s a reaction to the smallest thing that intersects our path and turns us toward healing.

For those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, our best hope is him and that he can make all things right. Take time to look at the Bible stories that demonstrate hope in the “For Further Reflection” reading. Each person in those stories knew something about Jesus’ teaching and miracles. Each story also highlights unhesitating hope in Jesus’ ability to heal. Whether it be a touch or a word, Jesus can make all things right.

Depression might make us feel that we have lost everything, but with hope we have everything.

Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: you don’t give up.

Anne Lamott

Without Christ there is no hope.

Charles Spurgeon

True faith means holding nothing back. It means putting every hope in God’s fidelity to his Promises.

Francis Chan

For Further Reflection

Luke 7:1–10; Luke 8:41–56

Today’s Prayer

Thank you Father that you are victorious over everything. When life turns dark, and I have turned over every stone, help me to remember that my hope is in you. And because of who you are, I can walk in victory. Amen.