Tag Archives: Hope

Demi Lovato: Overcoming Despair

Disney star and singer Demi Lovato seemed like she had everything anyone would ever hope for, but the teen idol was battling a sense of despair and hopelessness so serious that she entered a three-month treatment program to find a way forward. She is not alone.  Many people reach a place where they feel “all hope is lost.”  

Desperation and hopelessness have reached pandemic proportions.  Lovato confessed that she felt plagued by depression since childhood.   She was so bullied during middle school that she opted out of public schools and completed her studies at home.  It left a scar on her life that fame could not erase. Fortunately, she found help before it was too late. Where can you go to get hope?

Jesus Christ came to give hope to the hopeless.  He understands that many people today are living in despair. He holds the key to finding lasting peace and joy. He was so committed to helping people find a way out of their discouragement that He bore our sins on his shoulders when He died on the cross. When we cry out to Jesus, He hears us and offers us a new life.

If you have lost hope, Jesus Christ can bring you out of despair. He will befriend you and guide you forward.  It all begins with a conversation, a prayer. If you are ready to make a change from hopelessness to hope, pray this prayer: “Dear Jesus, I am sorry for all the things I have done wrong. I have been so discouraged. I lost hope. Now, I know You can bring me new life. I ask You to become the Lord and Savior of my life. Please renew my hope. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”

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- Bill Hennessy

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Overcoming Hopelessness

Life is full of ups and downs.  That’s all well and good if you have more ups than downs.  Unfortunately, life isn’t that predictable. If you’ve been facing a season when everything seems to be falling apart, it doesn’t take much to lose hope. Lost hope often leads to despair.

Many people find themselves at a point when they believe all hope is lost. Life can take an unexpected turn and side track our dreams and ambitions. The hopelessness that follows can be a powerful emotion.  It often prevents people from moving on. They feel stuck, unable to take positive steps toward healing. If that sounds like your experience, how can you move out of despair and get hope?

Jesus Christ came to earth that we might have life, abundant life. He understands how many people find themselves in hopeless situations.  He understands that many people live in despair. He saw firsthand how difficult life can be when He walked the streets of Israel. He understood how good people go through bad times and through His teaching and His miracles, he offered hope to those who lived with loss. When you follow Jesus, you trade despair for hope.

If you have been losing hope, if you feel a sense of despair, I have good news.  Jesus cares about your situation. He can forgive your failings and increase hope for your future.  He will walk with you when everyone else turns their backs.  All you need to do is go to Him and ask Him to be your Lord and Savior. He will forgive whatever wrongs you have done and give you a new beginning, full of hope and joy.

-Bill Hennessy
 

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Beating Despair


Despair can sometimes stop you in your tracks. In those moments, where can you go to get hope? If you are fighting a sense of hopelessness, and want to increase hope read on!

Losing hope is not a new experience. People throughout the ages have experienced hardships that caused them to battle despair. Yet, generations later, here we are.  Those who have lost hope lose sight of the fact that they are not alone in this world. Out of despair, they begin to believe they are alone in their pain, but there is hope in Jesus!

Many people are surprised to learn that God cares about them as a person, but the Psalmist, King David, wrote: “When I begin to lose hope, you already know what I am experiencing.” (Ps. 142:3) Although you are in despair now, you can take hope in God’s concern for you.

God specializes in giving hopeless people new beginnings. Whether your battle is with relationships, finances, addiction or other issues, God can change your circumstances. It all begins with a simple conversation between God and you.

Begin with a simple request: “Lord Jesus, I need You in my life, please be my friend and Savior. I am sorry for the wrongs I have done. You know I have lost hope. You know that I have been living in despair. Please help me find new life today, in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

If you want a way out of despair, talk to Jesus. He is willing to give you a new beginning that will bring you great hope!

-          Bill Hennessy

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Overcoming Hopelessness

 

“Where can someone go to get hope?”  You may have asked that question if you battle with despair.  Feeling hopeless can begin for a variety of reasons. Perhaps you have more bills than money. Perhaps you have lost a relationship that you valued deeply.  Perhaps, you tried and failed at something very important to you. Hopelessness is a ruthless enemy.

There is no store that sells hope. There is no government program that offers hope for the hopeless. Losing hope happens to nearly all of us at one time or another. But, if you lost hope, don’t give up! Although you have lived in despair, you can discover hope and start anew!

Regardless of how you found yourself in despair, you can get hope again!  How?  The Apostle Paul taught us hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts. (Romans 5:5) When we understand God’s love, we can increase hope for a better life and for eternity. 

Out of despair, many people become desperate.  They feel alone, isolated, unloved.  Their plans seldom work out the way they imagined and they often end with much less than they hoped for.  

But, God brings hope to those who call out to Him. He understands your need and responds with fresh hope! Consider the words of the Bible: Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love. Psalm 33:18 ESV

 

If you are living in despair, if hope escapes you, cry out to God for help.  He will hear your cry and pour out His love on your life.  He provides hope for tomorrow and joy for our journey today.

-Bill Hennessy

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Hope That Stands the Test of Time

Are we really helpless? Is there really an answer to the emptiness that looms inside of us? So many times we look for answers in all the wrong places. We even try to place the value on our own selves instead of what is really matters.

We can search for the answers but unless we turn our hearts and minds toward God we will never really find the answer to our hopelessness.  I can search for the answers inside of myself or within religions but I would never find the true answer.  

We try to rid ourselves of the things that are creating that hopelessness.  It can be our marriage, job, or any situation but if we just walk away we never really stop the hopelessness.  It may disappear for a while but will come back unless we turn our sight to God.

Hopelessness will never disappear in our lives with out leaving ourselves behind and turning our hearts and minds toward the only one who can offer us the solution.  I lost hope many times in the past but only found that God is able to give me back the hope that makes me want to go forward in life. 

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Are you a Worry Wart?

Growing up, I was what you used to call a “worry wart.” I worried about the past and I worried about what might happen in the future. The problem was that it robbed me of the joy of living in the present! I needed desperately to get help with anxiety because it was causing me problems in all aspects of my life. I lived in fear, had illnesses such as stomach pains, and was filled with shame for not being able to overcome the feelings on my own.

Thankfully, my parents prayed with me and led me to God’s Word, the Bible. Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God[a]; trust also in me” (John 14:1). Instead of being a prisoner to my thoughts, I can trust in Jesus because He will take care of me. I may not have an immediate solution to my worries but I do know that when I follow Jesus wholeheartedly that He will take care of me!In fact, I Peter 5:7 states just that, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” What an amazing relief that was to me!

Philippians 4:6-9 was another huge encouragement. It starts with, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). The promise is true: If I release my anxious thoughts to God then He will give me peace and guard my heart and my mind. Finally, there is anxiety relief!

The passage continue with this: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 8-9). God’s Word is so powerful! I am told that instead of worrying about everything, I must replace that with good thoughts: that which is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy! This brings me peace, wholeness, and hope!

I want to encourage you that you can receive help with anxiety. The key is to discover Jesus. Learn who He is. Give him your heart, mind, soul, and strength. When you do, you will become a new creation. You will then live the life you were created to live!

If you want to receive Jesus Christ today, He will help you through your anxiety. You can pray a prayer like this: “Dear Jesus, please forgive me for the wrongs I have done. I ask you to come into my life and help me overcome my fear and anxiety. In Jesus’ name, amen!”

If you prayed that prayer, click the button below and someone will be in touch with you to help you move further in your faith.

-Bill Hennessy

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