How to Hold On to Hope in a World Full of Fear and Despair

Episode Summary: Have you ever felt like life knocked you down so hard you weren’t sure you’d ever get back up again? Today’s guest, Greg J. Horn, knows that kind of pain firsthand. After losing three close friends to suicide and experiencing the devastating collapse of his own business, marriage, and home—all within 24 hours—Greg was left at rock bottom. But God met him there. From that place of brokenness, a new ministry was born: Hope is Here. Today on Your Hope-Filled Perspective, Greg shares how to move from fear to hope, how gratitude can transform our outlook, and how we can live each day with a renewed sense of purpose. Quotables from the episode: I lost my business, my home, and my marriage in about a 24-hour period and I’ll say it, I was hopeless. Honestly, my faith in Jesus is what really kept me alive during that season.” Fear, we see it, but so many times it’s not real. Even though I did feel fearful, I could stay hopeful as I read God’s Word and didn’t give in to my feelings of fear. Biblical hope is when you say, ‘God, even though I don’t see You working, and I don’t feel You working, I’m going to trust You because You are my source of hope.’ I can tell you now on the other side of it, 20 years later, that all things do work together.” No matter how hopeless it may look, no matter how hopeless it may feel, God truly will use all of it for His glory. As I leaned into Jesus, He slowly but surely started healing the broken pieces of my heart and my mind. You have to choose to be resilient, but with Jesus’ help you can do that. Instead of asking why so much, say, ‘God, what do You want me to learn from this, and how can I be a blessing to other people through it?’ God, through this process, gave me an acronym when I started Hope Is Here, the word HOPE: H-Hold On --everything can change in 24 hours. I mean, something can change for the better. Yes, it can change for the worse, just like my situation did, but just to simply hold on. know God may show up in a way that'll just blow your mind and give you hope, even though things seem hopeless at the time. O-Open up to at least one person--So many times the enemy lies to it and just says, you know, this is hopeless, you're never going to climb out of this situation. And I'm thankful that I was able to open up the others and tell them when I was hopeless and having suicidal thoughts. And that was just amazing the difference that made. Once again, Jesus modeled that when he asked Peter, James, and John, hey man, I've got this overwhelming situation. P-shift your perspective and do something different/put yourself in a new environment E-Expect to see change     Scripture References: Romans 15:13 (NIV) “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Psalm 27:7 "The Lord is my strength and my shield. My heart trusts in you, Lord, and I am helped." Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding but in all your ways acknowledge God and he will make your path straight.” Psalm 118:24 “"This is the day the Lord has made. I shall be glad and rejoice in it.” Galatians 6:9 “"Do not grow weary and doing good, for at the proper time you will reap a harvest if you do not give up." Proverbs 11:25 “Those who refresh others will be refreshed.” Lamentations 3:21–23 (NIV) “Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”   Recommended Resources: Hope is Here Today Radio Show and Podcast, WJMM 99.1FM 8:15am and 12:45pm daily Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free PDF Resource: How to Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson Free Webinar: Help for When You’re Feeling Blue   Social Media Links for Host and Guest: Connect with Greg Horn: Website / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / X Connect with Dr. Bengtson: Order Book Sacred Scars / Order Book The Hem of His Garment / Order Book Today is Going to be a Good Day / Order Book  Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails  /  Website  /   Blog  /  Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson)  /  LinkedIn  /  Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube / Podcast on Apple Guest: Greg Horn is best known as an encourager, coach, motivator, and speaker. He speaks regularly to organizations, civic groups and churches on the topics of fear, gratitude, and hope. He also hosts the radio show and podcast, Hope is Here, that broadcasts daily, Monday through Friday on multiple radio stations in Central Kentucky. His ministry, Hope is Here, began in December 2017 from a holy discontent that was growing within in him after losing three friends to suicide.   Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Ashton Bengtson Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.