Serving the City of Reno, Nevada
How to Find Hope in the Midst of Struggling
Nov 30, 2022
Feeling hopeless now and then is a common occurrence for most of us. In today’s fallen world, it’s seemingly impossible to never experience it. In fact, everywhere you turn, there’s something to contribute to hopelessness, and the stresses of life have only increased since the pandemic.
In Reno specifically, the constant feeling of hopelessness is leading to some rather disturbing statistics. Depression, suicide, and overdose statistics continue to increase. In fact, Nevada is the only state in the country that has had more deaths from suicide than car accidents. The Office of Suicide Prevention reported that Nevada has the 11th high suicide rate in the country. While suicide is a major issue for teens, it’s not limited to just adolescents. Nevada’s seniors are in crisis as well—we have the highest average suicide rate for people age 65+ as well.
It may not be easy to see in the midst of the struggle, but there are ways out—ways to find hope despite the worries and stresses all around us.
Take a Habit Audit
What does your typical daily routine look like? Are you sitting behind a television screen each day listening to the “doom and gloom” in the world? Or ae you constantly on social media, where there’s no ability to foster relationships. The pandemic forced many into social isolation, and for many it has been hard to get out of that over the last two years. Are you avoiding leaving the house and, therefore, connecting with others? Scenarios like these lead us straight down the path of isolation, depression, and hopelessness. Evaluate what you’re doing each day and the habits you’ve created that are creating an environment for despair.
Seek Out the Good
Once you identify those negative habits, make a conscious effort to seek out good in the world and build relationships. There are a number of avenues that can be taken. Perhaps it could be attending one of our church services to meet others with in the community and remind yourself of the good God is doing all around us. It could also mean plugging into a small group and doing live with others. We have all sorts of small groups that meet all throughout the week, all around Reno, and they are a great way to get to know Christ followers who would love to come alongside you and support and encourage you.
Remember Who Provides the Ultimate Hope
When everything around us seems hopeless, there is still a reason to hope an easy place to find peace if your hope is in the Lord. He never leaves or forsakes us, as he tells us in Lamentations 3:22-25:
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him. The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.”
God does not promise we will not face struggles. In fact, in John 16 he tells us that we will, in fact, have tribulation. But what cannot be forgotten is that he has “overcome the world.’ So even when it seems like the world all around us is crumbling, and it most certainly will, God is there, and we can lean in to His promises:
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” –Hebrews 10:23
I pray that you take courage in these verses from God’s Word and find peace and hope in God’s faithfulness. If you’re struggling to hold on to that hope, I’d love an opportunity to help you through it. Visit us during one of our Sunday services, or simply share your prayer request with us
and we will walk with you on your journey.
BILL SHERMAN, LEAD Pastor
bill@hopereno.church
Hope Community Church opened its doors on October 1, 2006 as a new church plant in the Double Diamond area. At Hope Community, we have a real love for the broken and beautiful people of south Reno. Our church is full of imperfect people who are seeking everything that life in Christ has to offer. Whether you are new to church or have been looking for a church home, we would like to invite you to join us this Sunday. We believe that your experience at Hope will change the way you look at church! Dress is casual, music is contemporary, and the teachings are extremely relevant. Find out why so many people who have given up on church have discovered something different at Hope!