How to Find Hope in Times of Hardship

There is a powerful quote: "I wish I could show you, when you are lonely or in darkness, the astonishing light of your being."

If you are reading this amidst feeling hopeless, I hear you. In a state of hopelessness, it can be hard to see our own light or a light in the future. Hopelessness is a scary feeling. Hopelessness can feel both numbing and stinging, not to mention terrifying, lonely, powerless and empty. In a state of hopelessness, we no longer expect or trust that good things will happen. Instead, the ground feels unsteady, shaken by our lack of faith in anything but our own continued suffering. 

I’m here to share with you that there is hope, even if currently feel hopeless. I can share this with certainty based on my own experience of how I overcame hopelessness to experience vitality, fulfilment, joy and love again, in ways even more profound and lasting than I’d experienced before my suffering began. 

5 Feelings at the Root of Hopelessness: 

1. Feeling out of control, afraid and overwhelmed  - I am out of control of my circumstances, thoughts and feelings. I am terrified and overwhelmed by my lack of control. My life and world are no longer safe. I can no longer trust my body, emotions or self. I am afraid I will die. 

2. Feeling a lack of answers - I do not know what to do to relieve my suffering. I’m ashamed to admit that I do not know the answers. I am a failure and I feel trapped. There is no way out of my pain. 

3. Feeling alone - I am not seen or understood in my pain. I feel neglected and misunderstood. I have no one to turn to for support, and even if I try, no one will understand. I am a burden to others. 

4. Feeling shame and guilt - Since my suffering is not going away, I must deserve it. Maybe I deserve to suffer. I try to numb these feelings which only adds to my shame. 

5. Feeling empty - I feel empty,  like something in this material way of life is not filling me up. I feel something is missing, lost and unfulfilled. 

5 Ways to Experience Hope:

1. Drawing strength from one's higher self and a higher power - In times of weakness, I can turn to a power higher than myself through my heart and soul to guide me, hold me, love me, see me and help me. I am safe. Trusting that there is a higher power that is sustaining and supporting me enables me to surrender some of my own power to the unknown, that has a divine wisdom. It is okay to hand over power and trust to a higher force. I trust with assistance, I will both survive and thrive. In learning to trust in my higher self and inner knowing, I regain a sense of power and ownership in my own healing. Like a leaf is moved by the wind, I can trust in the wisdom of the universe to guide me.

2. Trusting in the unknown - It is okay that I do not know the answers. I trust I am being assisted towards finding the answers and know that I am okay and safe in this space of not yet knowing. 

3. Forming boundaries and new relationships - It is okay to need support. I may not feel supported fully, but I trust I am not alone. There are people that do love and care for me - people in my life and people who I have yet to meet. I can surround myself with people who respect me and can set boundaries with people who do not respect me. I am worthy and deserve respect, love and kindness unconditionally. I support myself and allow others to support me too. I am learning to be gentle and loving with myself. 

4. Understanding the purpose of suffering - I understand that there is purpose in my pain, and that this test is strengthening my character. I know I am not tested beyond my capacity to overcome it, and I know that this test I will overcome. 

5. Nourishing the soul - I nourish my soul, as well as my body, towards wellness. I listen to music that helps me feel hopeful and understood. I visualise myself being well, focus on what I want and pray for assistance. I express my feelings and I collect quotes of inspiration that remind me there is hope.  I understand that my tests give me wisdom to support others, and know that the more I strive to give to others, the less I am preoccupied in my own suffering. I find purpose, meaning and fulfilment in serving others and experiencing being part of a collective. I know I am here on this earth for a purpose, and that my story is part of my purpose. I can do this.