Do you have that gritty feeling in your teeth? That sensation after keeping your head in the sand too long?
You’re not alone.
We have never been more instantly connected to events happening around the world. It can be a great thing. But constant exposure to humanitarian crises, political instability and climate disasters can leave us feeling overwhelmed, hopeless and emotionally drained.
Compassion fatigue is that feeling of emotional exhaustion that comes from being constantly exposed to suffering. Our instincts may urge us to disengage – turn off the news and scroll past the post from that humanitarian aid charity.
Yet Psalm 9:18 reminds us, “But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish.” As followers of Jesus, we’re called to look beyond the chaos – and follow God’s leading – releasing hope even in really hard places.
Tearfund’s recent Global Hope Report and Practicing Hope Resource offer practical ways to stay grounded in hope and connected to God’s transformative work.
Here are three practical ways to manage compassion fatigue and restore hope:
Research shows people who actively practice their faith – through prayer and attending religious services – experience greater hope for the future.
Psalm 62:5 reminds us, “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.” God not only works to restore the world but he also wants to restore us.
In Practicing Hope, Tearfund CEO Bec Oates explains, “This hope-filled rest that comes from God renews us for the long road of justice, discipleship, and mission. It reminds us that we are not the source of strength – God is. And in that truth, we find the resilience to keep going.”
Spending time in community with loved ones and in service to others also bolsters feelings of hope.
In her essay Hope Through Community, Laura Weatherall shares,
“When we know God as the anchor of hope, we feel less overwhelmed. And when we are faithful in the little things – advocating, giving, praying, and loving one another – we begin to notice the glimmers. Reaching for them, we join hands with others doing the same, and together, we build something new – a thousand small lights begin to flicker into something radiant.”
Find a community who lives out their faith – whether with friends, church or through organisations like Tearfund - and connect with people who help to ignite those glimmers of hope.
Hope deepens when we act. As we lean in to our calling, we follow the heartbeat of our heavenly Father – a heart that beats for the restoration of all of creation.
In his essay Hope in (the act of) restoration, Paul Dettman explains,
“...something happens in the human heart when we join this restorative work. Anxiety gives way to attentiveness. Apathy is replaced by action. And our action seeds hope.”
Start small. Ask God where he wants you to begin. Pay attention to what stirs your heart, learn about it and take steps forward.
One way to act is by supporting Tearfund's Urgent Appeal, which supports families living in drawn out and often overlooked crises. Every donation makes a difference, supporting the long term work of Tearfund’s partners in Yemen, Myanmar, South Sudan and Afghanistan.
Let us draw our attention not only to the needs of our neighbours but the hopeful work being achieved – the livelihoods, water sources, health and dignity being restored amidst challenges. Releasing hope in hard places is possible – just read Safiyah’s story.
Join Restorers, our monthly giving community, and be part of a network of passionate Christians dedicated to renewal, transformation and the restoration of hope in hard places across the globe.
