Where then, as troubles pile up and an overwhelming sense of hopelessness and desperation sets in to crush people, can they find real, lasting hope? The hope that conquers hopelessness The growing disarray can further discourage people and rob them of the confidence needed to achieve a stable and reliable future. And various government and corporate institutions formerly looked on as dependable are no longer seen as worthy of confidence. Many well-established values and standards have been severely weakened or abandoned. Some may even follow with acts of self-harm or suicide.Īnd on top of the personal challenges, society is spiraling downward. When disconcerting issues like these go unresolved, especially after long periods of waiting and hoping, deep discouragement may set in, leading people into a hopeless feeling that there’s no point in trying any longer.

These may include: marital, family or financial distresses lengthy periods of instability living with illness or pain losing employment or housing suffering isolation, loneliness or rejection trouble connecting emotionally with others a medical diagnosis of serious illness the breakup of a relationship. Perhaps you are among the many today experiencing such dilemmas in your personal life. While this aspiration is beneficial, the obstacles people face can be overwhelming at times-resulting in genuine needs going unfulfilled. Even so, as English poet Alexander Pope wrote, “Hope springs eternal in the human breast”-meaning that in spite of impediments and complications, people often remain hopeful that they will ultimately realize their wants and desires. Yet actually experiencing these can prove difficult amid troubling conditions. If you asked people what essential qualities contribute to a good life, what might they say? Perhaps peace of mind, excellent health, contentment and happiness, fulfillment, financial and physical security, and close relationships with family and friends would top the list.

Hopeless losing hope