Gotta have... HOPE

"Doesn't it seem like there's a natural disaster, like every time we turn around?"

A friend of mine asked me this after the tragedy in Japan… echoing something I’d just been thinking. Haiti, Chile, Brazil, Malaysia, New Zealand: Floods, landslides, cyclones, hurricanes, drought, earthquakes, tsunamis. All within the last 14 months. And this list is nowhere near exhaustive. 

Then there's crime, violence, intolerance, corruption, poverty, hatred, racism, neglect... all within our own backyards. Not to mention anger, contention, fear, self-loathing, loneliness, sadness, and the like all within our own hearts and minds.

Nevermind the woes of the world, sometimes the challenges that plague us can seem completely overwhelming. 

How can we keep up with the mounting chaos around us? Should we even bother? The questions come fast and hard as the helplessness of any given situation looms over us, perhaps even tempting us to ask if there really is a God, and if so, why he would let so much tragedy befall his children.

Then there's a story like this:

A bright ray of hope amidst the chaos and destruction that surrounds us, this four-month old baby was found in the rubble in Japan, three days after being swept out of her mother's arms by the giant wave that destroyed their home.


That she did not drown, that she was not crushed by the debris... these things are inconceivable. This child is, quite simply, a miracle. Despite all the devastation, the death and despair that overtook Japan, there are tender mercies to be found. This little girl, like the rainbow after the flood, becomes a promise to each of us that God is aware.


These days, the world feels like a very fragile place to be in. We watch these things unfold and I can only wonder what is next. It's hard to not be influenced by pessimism when you don't know what the future holds, what might be in store around the corner. My peace comes from the fact that while I don't know what the future entails, I know in whose hands it rests. Because I put my faith in my Heavenly Father and my Savior Jesus Christ, I have hope.


President Dieter F. Uchtdorf defines hope not as knowledge, but rather "the abiding trust that the Lord will fulfill His promise to us. It is confidence that if we live according to God's laws and the words of His prophets now, we will receive desired blessings in the future. It is believing and expecting that our prayers will e answered. It is manifest in confidence, optimism, enthusiasm and patient perseverance."


Whether facing our own demons, or challenges of global proportions, it would do us well to remember that "our most significant opportunities will be found in times of greatest difficulty" (President Monson). The difference between between allowing ourselves to be torn down in times of trial, or built up, is our attitude, our faith, and our hope. (Please excuse the literalness of the following quote, given recent events)

"Hope is a steadying influence, an anchor to the soul. That is it to say that it can keep us from drifting aimlessly or getting caught in whirlpools or running into sandbars. Hope, the anchor, is essential in this world so full of tidal waves. Sometimes those waves slap us from behind, sometimes we see them coming but cannot stop them or get out of the way. In all cases hope ties us to safety. The waves come and go in their fury or playfulness, but hope is always there if we will but use this sure anchor." 

Elaine L. Jack, "A Perfect Brightness of Hope", Ensign, Mar. 1992, 10

In regards to the bigger, global challenges that stare us down, many Christians believe that the second coming is fast approaching and all this madness is part and parcel of the millennium. If that's true, can we be justified in letting nature run it's course rather than doing what little we can? It drives me nuts to hear people say things like that the problems are too big for us to tackle. In the Doctrine and Covenants, we read the Lord's promise: "He that endureth in faith and doeth my will, the same shall overcome." The question becomes, what is the Lord's will?


This question brings me back to President Uchtdorf's notion of patient perseverance. To persevere is to continue steadfastly, and maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles or discouragement. To me that suggests that we are to continue to do what we can, for as long as we can, even if the results are not immediately, or ever, evident, even if the road is difficult.


In Esther 4:14 we read “Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Who are we to deprive our brothers and sisters of our time, talent, and love, simply because it is inconvenient, challenging, or even seemingly hopeless? Faith and hope expressed through our love, and willingness to serve is all that matters.


So, in the wake of this particular disaster, what can we do?


First of all, we can donate- time, money, resources, emergency kits, whatever. Check out www.its4agoodcause.com and see the different ways you can get involved, including simple things like being a socially responsible consumer.


Secondly, we can be aware. Maybe it's not possible for us to donate money or time to help in Japan, but there are certainly people right around us that could use our help. The simplest of gestures make the greatest difference. I will never cease to be amazed just how much use God has for me when I am living the way I need to be a tool in his hands, and praying for opportunities to be of service.

"Until the day when God will deign to reveal the future to man, all human wisdom is contained in these two words, Wait and Hope."

                                             Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo