The Bible tells the stories of several people who cried out in great despair while in the midst of their most challenging situations. Abraham, David, Job, Jeremiah, Elijah, Jonah, Solomon, Moses just to name a few. Even Jesus asked God if He could change His plans in regard to his upcoming sacrifice and death!
Yet, in each one of those cases they rose above their feelings, and exchanged their temporal perspectives for the eternal Word of God, clinging to the promises of hope that originate from God himself. In other words, they chose to trust God, His goodness, and His promises rather than act on their own feelings, weaknesses and perspectives.
"Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God." - Psalm 42:5
God loves truth, He wants authenticity to be the hallmark of our lives. He doesn't want you to wear a mask in an effort to fool others. We have seen in the list above major characters in scripture whose lives had gone way off course. So what can we learn from each of these people and the challenges that they faced?
First, (and most importantly), God never intended for any of us to walk a single moment alone. He longs to comfort us and to give us hope when darkness threatens to overcome our hearts and mind. He speaks to us through His Scripture, providing light and truth that will allow us to take that next breath and that next step. He promises to never leave us or forsake us. Never.
Second, if you are feeling overwhelmed ask for help. Contact a local church and ask for help if you are struggling with thoughts of despair and hopelessness. Make sure and tell your medical provider as well about your thoughts of despair. God uses medicine and caregivers to help us with physical diseases and the same is true for mental diseases. If you don't have anyone you can call right now please call The Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 to talk to someone who wants to help.
Third, remember, that God is for you and He is with you. "For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him." - Philippians 2:13 - He will guide you to help you get the care you need because He loves you and cares for you beyond your wildest capacity to understand love. In fact Jesus said, "May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that You sent me and that You love them as much as You love me." Jesus is saying that God, the Creator of the Universe God, loves us as much as He loves Jesus. He will not leave us alone in our moments of despair. He is fighting for you and me in ways we may never understand this side of eternity. But we can claim his promise that any situation we face, we face with His presence beside us.
"Not matter what you are facing, you are not facing it alone. God is with you, He is in you, and He is for you." - Rick Warren
