Finding Hope in Despair

Article Summary

“Finding Hope in Despair” addresses the shock and grief surrounding recent acts of violence, including the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the murder of a Ukrainian refugee, and national remembrance of 9/11. Dr. Eric Scalise reminds readers that evil cannot always be explained logically and that despair often raises questions about God’s presence and protection. Scripture shows that even in overwhelming tragedy, God remains sovereign, ever present, and able to calm the storm both around us and within us. Believers are called to confront evil with good, anchor their hope in God’s promises, and remember that eternal life is secure through Christ. Though we grieve, we hold to the truth that God will one day make all things new, wipe every tear, and bring perfect peace. This is where lasting hope is found in the midst of despair.

By Dr. Eric Scalise, President of Hope for the Heart

Yet again, our nation is reeling over the senseless and tragic loss of life. Many are devastated at the news of Charlie Kirk, a conservative Christian voice and founder of Turning Point USA, who was brutally assassinated while speaking on the campus of Utah Valley University.

As tributes and commentary pour in from around the world, this heinous act comes on the heels of another violent killing a little over two weeks ago that took the life of a young female refugee from Ukraine as she sat on a commuter train in Charlotte, North Carolina. And beyond all this, the country is also being asked to remember the fallen and the horror that took place on 9/11 where thousands died in the single largest terrorist attack ever to take place on American soil.

How Should We Respond?

Sometimes the most extraordinary evil takes place at the hands of the most ordinary people. One cannot simply apply logic or reason to evil birthed from the very pit of hell and by an enemy who comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10).

King David understood despair, the profound and overwhelming sense of utter hopelessness that follows events that seem so incomprehensible . . . events that fuel the belief there are no good outcomes … and are often followed by fear, anxiousness, and a growing sense of helplessness. His words almost seem prophetic today: “My soul waits in silence for God alone; from Him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will not be greatly shaken. How long will you attack a man, that you might murder him, all of you, like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence?” (Psalm 62:1-3 NASB).

At times, silence, at least in the moment, is appropriate, though human nature often tries to fill the uncomfortable void with words.

Is God in Control?

Sometimes there are no words, only questions. They cascade one after the other. Lord, how can this be? Why didn’t you protect Charlie? When will the next bad thing happen? Are we safe? God, is everything going to be okay?

This wouldn’t be the first time people have wondered if Jesus was asleep in their most desperate hour of need. After speaking to a large crowd by the Sea of Galilee, He and His disciples crossed over to the other side. In the middle of a storm that blew in and with the boat taking on water, the disciples panicked while Jesus slept.

After waking Him, they said, “Do you not care that we are perishing?” (Mark 4:38 NASB). That may be a question on many minds today. Jesus rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace, be still” (v. 39). Perhaps it was for the raging storm in their hearts as well. We need these words right now. We need His words.

God’s Sovereignty

Did God know about Charlie Kirk, Iryna Zarutska, the heartbreak of 9/11 before they happened? Yes! Does He still love and care for us? Yes! Is He still sovereign over all? Yes!

This tragedy reminds us that our battles are not all “flesh and blood” but “against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). Storms will come, but He is the Lord of the storm, and the winds and the waves must listen to Him. David understood this when he said, “Where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth … he who watches over you will not slumber” (Psalm 121:2–3).

How do we overcome evil? We overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). The world is watching as our faith and trust are being tested. May God give us the grace we need and the words to say to help quiet the storm. For surely, He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

A Promise

For those of us who are Christ followers, yes, we should mourn, and we should grieve. We should also pray for the loved ones and others who are most impacted and devastated over the loss. Yet, we can speak to our own soul as well. “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:11).

We have the hope of eternal life, and this is something to hold dearly. Charlie Kirk understood this. Just four days before he was killed, Charlie posted, “Jesus defeated death so you can live.”¹ Listen to his own confession: “We as Christians have hope that we are going to see our loved ones again and that we will be in heaven and that we will be in perfect peace and that this is not it. In fact, there's something even better awaiting us.”²

He understood God’s promise, that there will be a new heaven and a new earth, and “His dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with [us]. [We] will be His people, and God Himself will be with [us] and be [our] God. He will wipe every tear from [our] eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then He said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true’” (Revelation 21:3–5).

This is where we find hope in the midst of despair.

Helpful Resources

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Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) on X, Sept. 6, 2025. https://x.com/charliekirk11/status/1964469113352573401
Fox News, “Charlie Kirk was proud champion of Christianity on campuses nationwide: ‘I’m nothing without Jesus,’” Sept. 11, 2025. https://www.foxnews.com/media/charlie-kirk-championed-christianity-campuses-nationwide-im-nothing-without-jesus