WITHOUT HOPE
It is said that you can live about 40 days without food, 4 days without water, 4 minutes without oxygen—but only a few seconds without hope.
I know what it feels like to live without hope. I have been in that place where the walls close in, where breathing feels hard, and where giving up seems like the only option. I was unemployed, insolvent, divorced, rejected, alone—and deeply tired of life. I had no energy, no motivation, and no desire to start over again. Hope felt absent.
THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE
Yet, if life has taught me one thing, it is this: there is always hope.
When everything feels hopeless, the most powerful thing we can do is stop trying to fix everything and simply breathe. To become quiet—not only from the noise around us, but also from the noise within us. In silence, truth begins to surface: you matter, you are not forgotten, and God still has a purpose for your life. Even when we cannot see it, things are still working toward good. I know this to be true from personal experience.
TO THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN
For me, silence and clarity are found on the mountain—specifically at Faerie Glen Nature Reserve in Pretoria. As I walk upward, something shifts. I stop talking, stop questioning, and start listening. Over time, I’ve learned that asking fewer questions and listening more often leads to clearer answers. Constant talking keeps us from hearing God, who wants to speak into our lives. And when I listen, hope returns.
ENJOY THE JOURNEY
The climb is not easy. Legs ache, lungs burn, and progress feels slow. But the journey is not about reaching the top as fast as possible—it’s about noticing the beauty along the way. The flowers, the views, the fresh air. Life is much the same. It is unpredictable and often difficult. We can focus on the pain and allow it to drain us, or we can choose to learn, grow, and create new possibilities. Happiness and resilience are choices. Learn to enjoy the journey.
ALLOW CREATION TO TEACH YOU
Nature teaches powerful lessons. Once, I noticed a fallen tree that should have been dead—yet new branches were growing from it. Life was finding a way. That moment reminded me that no matter how hard you fall, how broken you feel, or how badly things seem to have gone wrong, new beginnings are possible. Healed scars tell stories—and those stories can bring hope to others.
WINTER IS NECESSARY
I often hike in winter. It’s not everyone’s favourite season, but it is essential. Fallen leaves nourish the soil. Trees may look lifeless, yet deep within, new life is being prepared. Seasons come and go. What you are facing now is just that—a season. Even when nothing seems to be happening, growth is taking place beneath the surface. Timing matters. Life will bloom again.
YOU WILL GET TIRED
The climb will tire you. Starting over is exhausting. When that happens, stop and rest—but don’t turn back. Rest means pausing, breathing, and looking back at how far you’ve come. Remember what you’ve already overcome. If God carried you before, He will carry you again. Draw strength from that truth and keep moving forward.
EVERYTHING LOOKS DIFFERENT ON THE MOUNTAIN
At the top, everything changes. The air is fresh, the noise fades, and perspective returns. From there, I can see how things connect—how life fits together. The problems don’t disappear, but they shrink. From God’s perspective, I am reminded that He is still in control. And with that assurance, I find the courage to go back down and face life again.
THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE
Hope has saved my life more than once. In silence, reflection, and prayer, I’ve always found renewed strength and clarity—what to let go of, what to forgive, and what my next step should be.
- Happiness is a choice.
- Standing up is a choice.
- Hope is a choice.
- What will your next step be?