Finding Hope

          Everyone has problems. No matter what the person next to you says, you will never really know exactly what they are thinking. No amount of money, things or of success can determine a person’s happiness. I’m not just talking about a person’s temporary emotional state, but rather the state of a person’s being. I mean the amount of hope within a person.

            A church I visited a few weeks back had a discussion on hope. The reverend asked who in the room ever felt hopeless. About half the room raised a hand. I felt like raising both hands. He went on to say that he felt pretty safe in saying everyone feels hopeless at some point. I would venture a guess that it could be true, but I’m not sure if everyone has buckled down in an internal storm and waited for the feelings of dread and darkness to pass.

            I’ve seen people posting about how if someone is having a hard time to talk to family and friends about what is happening. Sometimes, people don’t feel like they have family or friends that are willing to listen. Not everyone knows how to ask for help when they need it. It’s okay to pick up the phone and call someone or send them a message to ask how they are doing. That person might lie to you, but at least they know you care enough to ask.

The whole situation could feel hopeless. If this is the case, call the suicide hotline. Pray. Watch a funny movie. Listen to a happy song. Go for a walk. Cry. Take the cup that’s been sitting next to you to the kitchen to fill with water. Dance. Sing. Read something inspiring. It doesn’t even have to be something to make you feel happy. Sometimes feeling anything can be better than nothing or the pain from depression.

The people at the suicide hotline are there to help. If you need someone to talk to in a desperate time, it really can help. When in the throes of hopelessness, if definitely couldn’t hurt.

National Suicide Hotline : 1-800-273-8255