A while back I spoke at a church and although the large auditorium was filled with people, when I asked the question: “How many of you have lost hope?” Not a single person lifted their hand. Recently I went on the Internet and researched a few topics and I read them the results:
Our country’s divorce rate is approximately 51% – 41% for the first – 60% for the second marriage
83% of citizens disapprove of congress
Dropout rate from schools is at 25% – an all time high
Homelessness is on the increase – 1 in 200 people used an emergency shelter in the past year
Illegal drug use is up over 500% from ten years ago
43% of the population has a family member that is an alcoholic
Every 18 minutes another life is lost to suicide, 11th leading cause of death of Americans
We are engaged in war and people are dying every day
Terrorism threats occur every day and are carried out all over the world
People hate Americans and what they stand for all over the world – Iran, Afghanistan, North Korea, Venezuela, Cuba, Yemen being among the worst
Violent crime is rampant, terrorism strikes all over the world
Over 30,000 people were slaughtered in Mexico’s drug war last year
Although I did not test all of this data via Snopes, it paints a grim picture. I asked again, “How many of you have lost hope about something?” Again no one raised their hand.
One last statistic for you: 82% of people in the US have lost hope.
Hmmm I always hated raising my hand in a crowd too.
At first I didn’t believe that statistic but when you think of it in terms of they have lost hope in possibly ever getting a job, paying their bills, or getting rid of their credit card debt, or perhaps they have lost hope in their marriage, a son, daughter, nephew, niece, brother, sister, parent, our country, getting off drugs or alcohol, violence ending in Mexico, peace in the Middle East
When I hitch hiked into Atlanta homeless, drug addicted, an alcoholic, and a hardened criminal, I had lost hope in everything and was suicidal. I know how that feels, but I found Jesus Christ and therein hope. Today I’m happy, optimistic about the future, and wake up every morning in a good mood.
The Bible is clear that we cannot achieve peace, joy, and happiness apart from a close relationship with Jesus. A Christian and true believer will have much to smile about and look forward to and that translates into hope. Sure it rains on us like everyone else, but we know that beyond the rain clouds is an eternal rainbow. We have an eternity to look forward to that is perfect. The Bible states unequivocally that all things work for good to those who love the Lord. No divorce, suicide, alcoholism, drug addiction, money, hate, lies, jealousy, tears, cheating, stealing, sickness, sadness, fighting; just wonderful fellowship with Jesus and our brethren in Christ – FOREVER!
Hmmm Do you understand why I wake up with a smile on my face every day? You can have one too – All it takes is faith in Jesus Christ and an admission that you are a sinner, willingness to ask Him to forgive your sins, and then a determination to follow Him in the Christian life.
We and our great nation need to take heed of the verse below. It is our only real HOPE as individuals and as a nation.
2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
August 9 2016 – Click here to listen