
Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast Episode 109 - When Life Seems Hopeless
Welcome to the Terri Hitt – Live With Eternal Perspective Podcast
Episode #109 – When Life Seems Hopeless
Thank you for entrusting and investing your precious time with me to seek, find, and follow Jesus together and live with purposed eternal perspective.
So many people are hurting right now. As I’ve listened to podcasts, read headlines, and viewed posts on social media, I’ve seen and heard people express feelings of hopelessness. They share feelings of overwhelm by the state of the world, life circumstances, or current hardships.
It can be easy to feel hopeless or powerless when our footing doesn’t feel solid. We deal with finances, relationships, health, employment, choices, and parenting; the list of things we could worry about can be very long. Statistics show that over half of young Americans feel down, depressed, or hopeless. I call it an epidemic of heart disease. Why?
Everything we are and do stems from the condition of our heart. When stressed or worried, humans can express the ugliest, hurtful actions and words. Under pressure, bitterness or joy can be expelled from within us. What releases exposes the condition of our heart.
If we focus on, or allow our mind to linger on things of this world, we will lose joy, feel despair, and begin to embrace hopelessness. Now, it’s okay to have emotions. God blessed us with the ability to experience a full range of emotions. It’s a joy to feel! Yet God does not want us to remain stuck in our emotions. Our Heavenly Father desires that we live life to the fullest. His definition of full. Feel your emotions, evaluate your feelings, then measure them against the lens of God’s eyes and heart. God calls us to be discerning in all things, using His wisdom and understanding, not our own or that of the world. Evaluating and understanding our emotions, thoughts, and feelings under the wise counsel of our Heavenly Father allows us to process godly wisdom and truth.
Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.”
Despite circumstances, intentionally cling to the Lord.
We cannot change what goes on around us, but we can allow God to work on what is in us.
If we focus on God’s truths instead of self, our feelings, thoughts, and emotions (that are colored and affected by neglect, disappointment, loneliness, past experience, or confusion), our beliefs will change. Our heart will be altered and can be healed. Stress and burden becomes something we can choose to carry or release.
Matthew 11:28-30 says, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Jesus wants to carry your load. He simply makes His truths known, beckons us, and waits for us to humbly trust and release.
Psalm 25:5 says, “Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; all day long I wait for You.”
Knowledge of God’s words leads to discovery of His truths. God’s truths transform who we are inside: our thoughts, emotions, desires, and beliefs. They also reconstruct what shows to others: our actions and reactions, words, and tones.
Psalm 1:2 says, “But his delight is in the Law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night.”
How do we find release and relief from the burdens of this world?
1. The first step in finding escape from hopelessness or despair, depression or fear is to know God. Through His holy word, the Bible, you can begin or strengthen a personal relationship with God through Jesus. Reading the Bible isn’t a chore, but a study of history, truths, and promises purposed to allow us to intimately know and receive the God of the Universe.
John 16:33 says, “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!”
Because God gave us His word, as well as Himself through Jesus, we can know Him intimately. It is our choice whether we will make the time to grow and mature a relationship.
2. After purposing to see and know God, we make the choice whether we will trust Him.
Isaiah 40:31 says, “But those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.”
Psalm 43:5 says, “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.”
3. Growing a mindset for eternity that mirrors Christ is the next step. As we grow in Him, we become like Him.
2 Corinthians 12:9, 10 says, “But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
As our mindset shifts, we begin to see the troubles and trials of this world as opportunities to allow Christ to embed Himself in us even more deeply. We accept difficulties and disappointments as bridges to bring us closer to the heart of Jesus. We cry out for Him to work within us, shine from us, and draw others nearer to himself through what we endure and experience. We begin and continue to draw nearer to God despite and through circumstances intended for evil or harm.
2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.”
Psalm 9:9,10 says, “The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know Your name trust in You, for You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.”
Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
There are so many beautiful verses that help us to see and know the heart of God. We have truths and promises in the Bible that remind us of God’s intentions for us, His plans for us. God created each one of us for relationship; a sacred bond that nothing can snatch from His hand.
This podcast has been full of timeless, basic truths. I know life can seem overwhelming, hard, confusing, and hopeless. Each of us have lived through hard times that have caused deep hurts or betrayals, hardships or disaster. I know it can be so hard to release self to Christ. I pray that the basic reminders I’ve shared today will encourage you to continue strengthening your walk with Jesus or cause you to begin a new relationship of trust and surrender. So many beautiful truths fill the pages of God’s holy word. So many promises rest in the pages, promises from a holy God who cannot lie. You can trust Who He claims to be and rely on His source of light and life to alter your life, if you let Him.
I want to continue reading verses that I pray will encourage and lift your heart and attitude as you listen, as well as cause you to find your Bible and begin studying God’s word anew in your life. Through purposed study of God’s word, a new life is opened up for you. God is all He says in His word and more. There is no other relationship in this world that will delight and complete you or transform your life like an intimate walk with Jesus.
John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
Psalm 34:17-20 says, “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears; He delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him from them all. He protects all his bones; not one of them will be broken.”
Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope.”
Luke 1:37 says, “For no word from God will ever fail.”
Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.”
Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.”
Isaiah 41:10 says, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My right hand of righteousness.”
Romans 12:12 says, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer.”
Galatians 5:1 says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.”
Psalm 43:5 says, “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.”
Deuteronomy 31:8 says, “The Lord Himself goes before you; He will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.”
1 Peter 5:6-9 says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you. Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.”
Proverbs 23:18 says, “For surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.”
Psalm 62:5 says, “Rest in God alone, O my soul, for my hope comes from Him.”
Romans 8:38-39 says, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Psalm 34:17-22 says, “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears; He delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him from them all. He protects all his bones; not one of them will be broken. Evil will slay the wicked, and the haters of the righteous will be condemned. The Lord redeems His servants, and none who take refuge in Him will be condemned.”
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you that You are gentle and humble, that Your Spirit yearns for us. Thank you also that You are holy and righteous. Despite all of our frailties and filth, You desire relationship and an eternity with us. Somehow You still look upon us with an agape, eternal love that has no boundaries, no borders. Cause us to see ourselves through Your eyes. Make us seek Your face and Your heart with a passion and heavenly love. Help us to yearn for You more than this world. Help us seek out and remember Your truths so that we walk in Your ways and cause others to know You more. Help us not to trust our thoughts and feelings or emotions, but cling to Yours in all things. Drive out insecurities, bitterness, fears, depression or desolation. Help us seek You for answers and comfort. Scripture teaches us that Your word is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword and cuts between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. Your word exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Expose to us what we need to see to draw nearer to You and away from sin and self. Give us Your hope and peace, despite circumstances. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Thank you for listening to this podcast. If you find value in what you hear, I invite you to share Live With Eternal Perspective episodes with friends and family so that they can begin to listen each week. Would you please also place a rating and review at Apple Podcasts or Spotify to enable others to find each episode?
I’m very excited to share that my second podcast, “Purposed Parent/Connected Child” has released! I hope you will look for it, follow it, and share both podcasts with friends or family who would like to choose Christ over culture and be a parent (or be a grandparent) who connects with eternal purpose. Right now the podcast is on Spotify and iHeart Radio, but will be available on other platforms soon.
These podcasts are important steps of obedience that I pray bless you. If we are not purposed in knowing Jesus ourselves and showing Him to the next generation, the world will direct them away from Christ. Live With Eternal Perspective helps us to find, trust, and follow Christ more intimately. Purposed Parent/Connected Child shares biblical, practical truths for parents and grandparents to influence and mentor Christ over culture.
I pray that what you hear on this podcast draws you nearer to God and helps you cling to Him, despite any circumstances in your life. Until next week, keep looking Up while focusing on new ways to Live With Eternal Perspective.