A person simply cannot live without hope. If you take away hope, you take away a reason to go on.
Recently I have gorged myself on Leadership books, particularly those by Jon Gordon, Patrick Lencioni and James Hunter. I have one by Simon Sinek sitting in my stack to read next. But earlier this week, I had reached my fill and thought to myself that I needed something else to read to eventually renew my focus on leadership. So I began to go book by book in my library to see what either struck my eye or maybe one I needed to read again for a refresher course. My eyes stopped at a book by the late J.I. Packer and Carolyn Nystrom called Never Beyond Hope. It was published in 2000 and it is hard telling how long I have had it. I have an original hardback so I think it is safe to say a long time. When I opened it to glance through it I realized I had no markings in it, which means I have never read it. So with Resurrection Sunday on its way and the hope that springs eternal from that day, I decided to give it a try. The subtitle of the book is How God Touches and Uses Imperfect People. I thought that certainly sounded like me so it appeared to be a good choice. 🙂
Packer writes the following in his Introduction: “While there’s life there’s hope, we say, but the deeper truth is that only while there’s hope is there life.” Read that slowly again. I once heard it said, “”A man can live three days without water, 40 days without food, but only five minutes without hope.” In other words, take away hope and a person has nothing to live for. Hope springs eternal is what we are told. Well, what happens when hope is lost? I believe that is exactly one of the reasons why the suicide rate is climbing higher with each passing day. Take away hope and all that is left is a mere existence, often characterized by painful memories, unmet expectations, and unrealized dreams. And, of course, when those are the thoughts the next question is, “What do I have to live for?”
My heart aches and breaks for people who have come to the end of their rope and see no way out. I wish they could see there is hope and there is a way out. Even though their situation looks impossible and unavoidable and desperate, there is ONE who has open arms and a big shoulder. He is the same one who said, “I have come that they might have life and have it to the full.” (John 10:10).
Please keep your eyes open today (and everyday) for those who are hurting, for those who seem to have it all together on the outside, but inside they are a weeping mess. You just may be the person who brings someone back from the brink, and along with you, can give praise to the ONE who gives life meaning and hope.
Having been there a time or two, I can relate. For myself, It was pretty easy to mask in public when I found it necessary to be in public. However at home, I can remember going to sleep weeping and waking in the morning weeping. It was hard to see the hope and experience the joy that I knew I should have. The enemy likes to keep us there. I actually think he thrives off the misery and pain he creates. The lies I listened to kept me from prayer, kept me from the worship, kept me from relationship with Jesus. I spiritually locked myself in a dark room with no windows with the enemy and allowed him to verbally and mentally abuse me. It wasn’t until I got up, cracked the door and called out to Jesus that I could begin to see the light. For me, the rescue didn’t come overnight, it took time. But day by day (sometime hour by hour and minute by minute), I went after the promises that God had planted.
Looking back, I had gotten lacks. I had not been in prayer or the Word as I should have prior to the attack. I let my defenses down. I knew better, but didn’t recognize how deceiving and how real the enemy was. I have recently started making it a practice to visualize myself putting on the armor of God before my feet hit the floor every morning. I find myself thinking about how my routine can be adjusted to give me more time to prepare for the day. I try not to get into a practice where I go through a set plan every morning as I don’t want it to become a mindless habit, instead I seek relationship. Still a work in progress, but making strides.
You describe well Ryan a place I have never been in. Thanks for being open and honest about your struggle. You paint a very vivid picture of the enemy’s tactics. We all get lax from time to time. Bad situation to be in. But it is a good practice to do the armor as you wake up. A work in progress is the best way to describe it.
I know I’m so late to the party today, Bill, but I had a nuclear test scheduled this morning from which we just got back. Everything went fine, although the doctor will have to review the scan. Prayers are appreciated!
And yes, not one of us can live and thrive without hope. I’m so grateful to our Father who gave us eternal hope in His Son, Jesus. Blessings!
As they say: better late than never. 😂 Thx for commenting. I sent you a personal about sent the test. Hope is so important