Hope in times of crisis: How we don't have to become impoverished internally

Hope in times of crisis: How we don't have to become impoverished internally

In a world marked by crises, wars and social division, some still dare to keep the flame of hope alive. Marie-Luise Lautenbach and Andreas Echternkamp, ​​pastors in the North Palatinate, are on the front lines of this fight and discuss how to maintain confidence in challenging times. In their conversation, they emphasize how constant confrontation with negative news can disrupt inner balance, causing people's souls to “die of thirst.” The two encourage people not to sink into resignation, but rather to stay active and keep hope alive, even when the world situation is unpleasant reports the Rheinpfalz.

At the same time, a survey shows that hope comes from different sources. Especially in times of crisis, humour, childlike lightheartedness and family support are central elements that give many people support states SRF. These findings also agree with the reflections of the philologist Jonas Grethlein, who argues in his book on the history of hope that hope is not just an emotion, but also a relationship to the world that is rooted in openness to the future.

Hope in this day and age

Despite the challenges, there are also rays of hope: many people, according to the evaluating voices, hope for a government that is able to act and that global warming progresses more slowly. These hopes are often small-scale – which can be summarized under the term “micro-hope”. This means that many people are increasingly focused on what can be achieved in their immediate surroundings. According to Lautenbach and Echternkamp, ​​it is important not to lose heart and not to give up hope in the reality of your own life.

But the question remains: what are we actually hoping for? In this context, the Christmas message represents positive renewal. It conveys DNA messages of light and hope in the darkness, even if many people today are less familiar with a religious understanding of the world. As Deutschlandfunk Kultur highlights, hope can be understood as both a positive force and a mental trap that keeps us in harmful structures. Therefore, commitment to positive change is essential in order to actively shape the future Deutschlandfunk Kultur states.

Role models and personal reflection

Right now, many people feel lost in the abundance of challenges. However, a look at nature or into the eyes of children can seem like a ray of hope. In times of crisis, decency is viewed as an important orientation. Maja Göpel, best-selling author and political economist, sees that shared values ​​strengthen hope and that role models are immensely important for positive change. A shortcoming of today's world is that such role models are missing. It is all the more important to consciously perceive and promote positive experiences in order to gain a little hope every day.

In a year in which the challenges are particularly great, the encouragement remains not to give up hope. The voices of the pastor from the North Palatinate as well as the insights of experts like Göpel and Grethlein call on us to get out of despair and actively work towards positive change. Because despite the global crises: hope dies last.