How can I help those who feel hopeless?

Psalm 119:43, 74, 81, 114, 147Do not snatch your word of truth from me, for your regulations are my only hope. . . . May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy, for I have put my hope in your word. . . . I am worn out waiting for your rescue, but I have put my hope in your word. . . . You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope. . . . I rise early, before the sun is up; I cry out for help and put my hope in your words.

Romans 15:4Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.

Hebrews 6:18-19So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.

Hebrews 10:23Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.

To help those who are feeling hopeless, we can encourage them to see life from an eternal perspective. When we realize that for believers this life is such a small slice of eternity, our available solutions expand greatly. This life is not all there is, and we see only a tiny part of the picture.

Job 29:13“I helped those without hope, and they blessed me. And I caused the widows’ hearts to sing for joy.”

Job 31:16“Have I refused to help the poor, or crushed the hopes of widows?”

Psalm 69:20Their insults have broken my heart, and I am in despair. If only one person would show some pity; if only one would turn and comfort me.

Matthew 5:16“In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”

Matthew 25:34-40“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’”

Hope can grow from the smallest acts of kindness. That may include offering someone a simple comfort, like a glass of water. It may include spending time with them and listening to what’s on their heart. It may mean helping to meet their basic needs or the needs of their loved ones. It may mean coming alongside them in a time of special difficulty, such as a sickness. These actions reflect God’s love, shining light into the dark times of peoples’ lives.