Speech about hope cannot be explanatory and scientifically argumentative; rather, it must be lyrical in the sense that it touches the hopeless person at many different points. More than that, however, speech about hope must be primally theological, which is to say that it must be in the language of covenant between a personal God and a community.
For a hopeless person there will be no simple ways out of hopelessness. There will be no quick fix. There will be no answer that will bring meaning and purpose to life. When people are hopeless we must find many ways to speak of what is possible within God's vision for life and many ways must be offered by many people. I may be given many ways to respond to my hopelessness, but if I am still alone to respond, I may be no better off than before. The importance of others in our lives who can stand with us and help to point out the possibilities that are unseen cannot be overlooked.
Connection: One of the most important words that brings hope to those who are hopeless may simply be "you." The presence of another person speak much about what is promised even when no words are being spoken. It is a good starting point.
There are days, Comforting Lord, when nothing seems to be able to fit in place and all that is done gets nothing done and losses out weigh gains. Let you Holy Spirit reside with us in those days to be the arms to hold us and nurture us and send us out into the life you give. Amen.
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