How do you maintain hope

Hope is a big thing for people experiencing trials and tribulations.  How long can one sustain hope in a dire situation?  I continue to prayer every day and try to sustain hope to get me through my trials right now.  It has been a very long time and I am waning in my hope.  Sometimes I want to weep, other times I want to scream.  Also everyone keeps saying keep the faith, don't lose hope, it has to get better.  Really?  Is there a rule that it has to get better?  Yes I want to believe more than anything that it is going to get better, I pray for it every day.  I just am tired of all the platitudes people say, because I am doing everything I can to be positive.  If I am sad one day, or stressed another, please don't hand me an old cliche.  You can choose to be away from me, or lend an ear if you want to.  Hearing the same old sayings isn't helping me, and watching others who have the same situation and are much worse doesn't help.  It honestly scares me to no end that I am going to be there soon.  So no I don't need reminders about how much worse it can be because my brain is thinking it repeatedly each day!  I don't bring it up, but if you ask about it have the decency to listen before spouting off all of your wisdom.  Sorry to be a downer, but this is just what is happening in my life.  I hope yours is going better and you are feeling good.