Hope

Romans 8:24-25 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

I have a few loved ones who are struggling. Really struggling...with life. Their struggles run the gamut. Struggles of the heart, the mind, the wallet....all at the same time.

We all have to live our lives. And all of our lives at some point include struggles.

We cannot escape this reality. So we keep plodding on.

But we each have different ways of approaching life's struggles. I believe that how we approach them has a direct relation to their resolution.

Many factors go into any person's approach to their struggles.

• Perspective
• Experience
• Resources, both perceived and real
• Personal demeanor
• Emotional stability
• Problem solving ability
• Support system, family and friends
• Focus
• Determination
• Perseverance

But, the biggest factor of all is HOPE.

Anyone who experiences strife or struggle ~ and, let's face it, that's all of us ~ will fair better with a strong dose of hope. And, like medicine, repeat the dosage until the struggle is over.

Hope alone will not resolve the struggle. It might not even make it easier or quicker. But it can be the force, sometimes the only force, that gets one to the desired result when the struggle gets too painful and unrelenting.

So, back to my loved ones who are struggling...it occurred to me that in situations where their struggle is intense enough where there is nothing tangible I can give them or do for them, that the only thing left is to be part of their support system. What else do I have to offer?

The words don't help anymore...and it has come down to just listening.

What is left? The only thing left is hope.

I proceeded to try to analyze this logically by asking one simple question: How can one offer hope to someone who has lost all hope?

In my research, I encountered a few blogs that were marginally helpful. But, then I ran across a great website that said it all. Check out 10 Ways to Give People Hope! Simple and intuitive.

• Acceptance
• Love
• Appreciation
• Approval
• Connection
• Comfort
• Encouragement
• Respect
• Protection
• Support

Even though the concept of hope is an intangible...and more so for those who have lost or misplaced it, Don Follis succeeds in quantifying it. He has tied it to actions that we can take to help our loved ones.

Thanks to Don's ideas, I have a renewed approach to offering hope to my loved ones who are mired in their struggles at this time.

We are all interconnected in this life. God has placed us in each other's lives for a reason. Those reasons most times are a mystery to us. If the reasons are unclear, it is difficult to understand or be clear on what to do.

Stop trying to understand and just do what Jesus would do...offer love, hope, and a little bit of your own humanity to your brother, your friend.