The Battle We Must Fight and WIN!

I want to share a dialogue with you about the war we are all engaged in. The battle is between HOPElessness and HOPE. 

I have fought in the war between HOPElessness and HOPE in my lifetime. As a result, I have struggled with anxiety and depression. I felt at times like I was losing my mind as it seemed my world was caving in on top of me. I don’t know if you can identify with me, but this is why HOPE is essential to me. Without HOPE, I believe I would have died.

As you know, abuse of any type ushers in the darkness filled with shame, guilt, torture, anger, and self-doubt. Once darkness claims its place in our hearts and minds, the battle begins to form.

The battle

The battle between HOPElessness and HOPE is real. HOPElessness is often accompanied by despair. While HOPE comes with faith and trust. These are two compelling forces engaged in a battle for our souls and lives. So the battle begins!

Listen to the battle

HOPElessness speaks, “I will not hide because I live front and center for all to see. Your friends and family members will miss or ignore the telltale signs I give. I will see you in your dreams because I get to turn your dreams into nightmares. You will have nightmares over and over again.” When HOPElessness feels it has won, it reiterates, “I have one more call to claim. I am a never-ending pit of coldness and darkness waiting to give you a place to live.” 

HOPE interjects, “NO! I have something to say!” HOPE speaks, “I am concerned with your future and not your past. I, HOPE, am about miracles, and I’m about keeping promises. I’m about changing your perspective on life, and I’m about living life to the fullest. I, HOPE, come with certainty and strength! I am not about giving up. Please hear me! There is an answer to all your questions, but there is a time and a place for everything.” 

The Decision

I don’t want you to think that choosing between Hope and Hopelessness is easy because it is not. Hopelessness pulls on the heartstrings of yesterday, and Hope pulls toward the future. For me, the grip of anger, shame, and guilt were like magnets; I had to find another way to live. So I chose to be full of Hope.

Whenever I would feel the world caving in on me, I would repeat the 23rd Psalms. Then I thought, if this Psalm got me through a spell of anxiety, maybe other scriptures would help me too. I found many verses that resonated in my heart, but for this writing, I chose Romans 4:18 (NIV) and Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV). 

Romans 4:18a (NIV) “Against all HOPE, Abraham in HOPE believed …” 

Jeremiah 29:11(NIV), “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a Future.”

God kept His promise to the children of Israel. This same promise is applicable today to you and me.

Then the words of a song filled my heart.

My Hope is Built,” My HOPE is built on nothing less Than Jesus Christ, my righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus’ name… By Edward Mote

https://hymnary.org/text/my_hope_is_built_on_nothing_less

Are you facing this same decision; If so, do you want HOPE to have its perfect place in your heart? Or do you give into HOPElessness? 

What will you choose? Will you believe the words of HOPE even if you don’t feel HOPEFUL? Or will you allow the whispers of HOPElessness to devastate and plunder your heart? This is a decision you and only you can make! Who will you listen to?

Biblical References:

All Biblical references are from the New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

My Hope is Built on Nothing Less https://hymnary.org/text/my_hope_is_built_on_nothing_less