I can’t imagine being a doctor who has to give someone a diagnosis of a terminal illness. Especially an advanced stage disease with no cure, no treatment plan, and little chance of recovery.

Some say the doctor shouldn’t offer such a person any hope. They say the person should spend their remaining energy and resources on enjoying the time they have left instead of trying to fight an unwinnable battle. Hope is just a waste of time.

“Why, my soul, are you so dejected? Why are you in such turmoil? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise him, my Savior and my God.” (Psalms‬ ‭42‬:‭5 or 11,‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

We all have a terminal illness. We will all die of it, sooner or later. It’s called sin. We have no chance of recovery. There is no cure on earth and no treatment plan. Death is certain.

And yet, hope is not a waste of time. Not at all. Not if this hope is aimed at the right person. God provided our cure for certain death by sending Jesus.

Whether we suffer from a dire physical ailment or a spiritual one, hope placed in God is never a waste of time. God has the power to save, to heal, to bring peace in the midst of the storm.

The devil would love for me to toss out all hope. He loves apathy. He loves it when I look around and think, “What’s the use?”

On the other hand, the devil really hates it when I turn to God with a glimmer of hope and ask for help. Praising God, remembering who He is, how much He loves me, and how powerful He is, is a great way to ignite my lost hope.

Dear God, you are the God of hope. Thank you for always being here with me, as you were yesterday and will be again tomorrow. Thank you for loving me and caring about the details of my life. I don’t always understand why things happen the way they do, but I have hope that your will is good and my salvation is sure.