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Pulling through when life seems hopeless

byVivian Gatica Lopez
November 1, 2019
4 minute read
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At one time or another, we all hit a point where everything seems to be going wrong or falling apart and life seems hopeless. Maybe you’ve lost your job, your car broke down, your home was destroyed due to circumstances beyond your control, or Murphy’s Law is just hitting you at full force.

We all struggle when life throws us unexpected curveballs. And when this happens, it’s hard to believe that things will get better. It’s difficult to get out of that hole of uncertainty and anxiety that we’ve buried ourselves in.

But it is possible to move past these challenging phases. It is possible to pull through, and achieve happiness again. It takes determination, faith and a little bit of believing that everything is going to be OK.

The journey to getting to a better place may be long, but it’s not unattainable. There will always be challenges and obstacles to overcome, and not everything will always go the way we hope they do. But when you are having a hard time finding hope that things will get better, here are some things to keep you going:

Pray.

The best way to find peace in a hopeless situation is to talk to someone who is always going to be there to listen to your struggles and problems, and show you how to move past them. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, pray and let God know about everything troubling you.

Bring all your frustrations and anxiety to him in prayer, and ask him how to make things right. He will show you the way, and put you on a path toward healing and joy.

Pray for the peace and determination to get through the difficult times—no matter how dire your situation is. Present all your worries and anxiety to him, and trust in him to help you find solutions to everything you’re being plagued with, so you can move forward and enjoy your life.

Spend time with supportive and positive people.

Surround yourself with people who will lift you up when you’re down and help you overcome the things getting in the way of your happiness. Spend time with individuals who will support you and bring joy and positivity into your life.

Let them show you that all is not lost. Allow them to help you see that better days are ahead, and that this is just a bump in the long, bright road ahead of you in your future.

These are the people you’ll be able to lean on when you need someone to tell you that everything is going to be OK. They’ll also be the ones to show up when you need them the most. They’ll be the ones to help you get through your most difficult times, and celebrate your most joyous times.

Know that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.

Your problems are not going to consume and define your entire life, even if for the time being it feels like this is the case. You will get through the hard times, learn from these moments and grow from them. And you will be a stronger person because of it.

It’s important to keep in mind that these unfortunate situations you’re going through are not permanent, and you will get past them. It’ll take time, but you will get to a better place.

So, keep an eye out for the light at the end of the tunnel, focus on it and know that there are better days ahead for you.

Make a plan for what you’ll do to get through this difficult phase of life.

There are always solutions to the challenges we’re facing. So, even when nothing seems to be going according to plan, it’s important to come up with another plan to make things right.

Make a list of the bad things you’re going through, and brainstorm things you can do to overcome them and thrive. Map out what needs to be done to get out of the poor situations you are stuck in, and do everything necessary to accomplish these small goals that will guide you to a victorious point in life again.

When it comes down to it, it’s your determination, hard work and faith that will get you to where you want to be. And if you put in the effort and take the steps needed to be in a good place again, it will happen.

Do Good:

  • Visit westernusa.salvationarmy.org to find The Salvation Army nearest you. 
  • Give to support the fight for good in your community.
  • What makes a good story? Where can you find “the magic” in one? And how do our values integrate with our own story? Take our free email course and discover exactly how to find your voice, own your story and share it with others. 
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