What can I do when life seems hopeless?

1 Samuel 1:1-10Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah did not. Each year Elkanah would travel to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to the Lord of Heaven’s Armies at the Tabernacle. . . . Year after year it was the same—Peninnah would taunt Hannah as they went to the Tabernacle. . . . Once after a sacrificial meal at Shiloh, Hannah got up and went to pray. Eli the priest was sitting at his customary place beside the entrance of the Tabernacle. Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord.

Psalm 18:4-6The ropes of death entangled me; floods of destruction swept over me. The grave wrapped its ropes around me; death laid a trap in my path. But in my distress I cried out to the Lord; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears.

Psalm 61:2From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety,

Psalm 130:1-2From the depths of despair, O Lord, I call for your help. Hear my cry, O Lord. Pay attention to my prayer.

Jonah 2:7As my life was slipping away, I remembered the Lord. And my earnest prayer went out to you in your holy Temple.

When life seems hopeless, we should pray to God, for he alone is the ultimate source of all hope and help.

Acts 16:24-25So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks. Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.

Romans 5:3-5We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Romans 12:12Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.

When life seems hopeless, we can sing praises to God, for that will honor the Source of all our hopes.

Proverbs 10:28The hopes of the godly result in happiness, but the expectations of the wicked come to nothing.

Romans 5:1-2Since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

Ephesians 2:12In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope.

When life seems hopeless, we should trust in our sovereign God, for he manages time and eternity.

Psalm 27:14Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous.

Isaiah 40:31Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

When life seems hopeless, we should patiently trust God to act in his good timing.

Haggai 1:9“You hoped for rich harvests, but they were poor. And when you brought your harvest home, I blew it away. Why? Because my house lies in ruins, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, while all of you are busy building your own fine houses.”

When life seems hopeless, we should continue to submit out r time and other resources to God, for his eternal investments never fail.

Psalm 18:4-6The ropes of death entangled me; floods of destruction swept over me. The grave wrapped its ropes around me; death laid a trap in my path. But in my distress I cried out to the Lord; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears.

Psalm 69:13I keep praying to you, Lord, hoping this time you will show me favor. In your unfailing love, O God, answer my prayer with your sure salvation.

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

When life seems hopeless, we should keep an eternal perspective, for earthly hurts and troubles will disappear at heaven’s doorstep.