Dealing with Despair
There comes a time in ones life that a situation you have been praying about still persist and you wonder if God is ever going to come to your aid. The situation can become so out of control that you wonder if God even hears us. We end up crying our eyes out, lashing out in anger, or just plain sorrowful most of the time. You can liken this to a father with an unruly kid who has been trying for years to get his child to get on the right path. It can be frustrating and disappointing.
The assurance comes though, from Romans 8:28 ... "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." The story is told in 1 Samuel chapter 1 of Hannah and Peninnah, wives of Elkanah. Peninnah provoked Hannah because Hannah could not have a baby and she could. Hannah was in so much anguish that she looked like a mad woman every time she prayed at the temple for a child. Finally God did honor her with a child of her own. Psalm 13 also clearly spells out one of David's moment of anguish and how He cried out to God. Although he cried out to God during his moment of despair, he did not forget that God can turn his situation around. He had total trust in God even his moment of anguish as depicted by the Psalm.
Sometimes in life,we may find ourselves in situations that we cannot see a way out. It can be frightening sometimes and you wonder if there will ever be a period of complete happiness again in your life. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 says ..."We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed". 2 Corinthians 12:9 also says... "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
As Christians whenever we find ourselves in these situations where we feel we don't have a way out, let us remember that God has seen us through various situations in the past and rely on Him totally for deliverance and restoration. Unless we forget how far the Lord has brought us, we cannot envision His plan for us as His children. 1 Peter 5:7 says..... "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."
