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Struggling With Hopelessness
A Breakthrough of Hope
by Inspiration
Ministries
Hello dear friend.
As Believers, we can tend to hide our
struggles, believing that “good” Christians shouldn’t struggle with issues like
hopelessness.
But hiding behind a mask of
“everything-is-great-I’m-doing-just-fine” has a significant, negative impact on
our relationship with the Lord and with one another.
So in an effort to be transparent, I
want to share my struggle with hopelessness with you.
Like you, I’ve experienced much
heartache in life, but this last year has been one of the most painful seasons
I’ve ever endured.
For months, it seemed that loss and
grief were my constant companions.
I struggled with despair, unable to
see how things would ever change or improve.
I sensed God’s abiding love for me,
yet my struggle with hopelessness persisted.
But throughout those dark days, I
pressed into the Lord and applied three principles that I want to share with
you, lessons I believe will help set you free to live in hope.
Principle #1: Be With Jesus
When struggling with despair, the temptation to curl into
a ball and do nothing can be overwhelming.
Our
physical, mental, and emotional strength is depleted, and the thought of
spiritual warfare seems unimaginable.
Then
we beat ourselves up because we feel like a weak-willed and whiny Christian.
But
the comforting truth is that Jesus understands our flesh is frail. He doesn’t
despise our weakness: He wants to surround and cover our weakness with
His strength.
On
the days when I was too weak to cope, I would curl up in His presence and just
be with Him.
Sometimes
I talked to Him. Sometimes I listened to worship music.
Sometimes
I cried. And sometimes I would just be.
Principle #2: Rest in His Word
Word of God speak
Would You pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see
Your majesty
To be still and know
That You’re in this place
Please let me stay and rest
In Your holiness
Word of God speak
Would You pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see
Your majesty
To be still and know
That You’re in this place
Please let me stay and rest
In Your holiness
Word of God speak
Here
are some verses from God’s Word that may speak to your heart as you rest and
wait for Him to restore your hope:
“I would have
despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in
the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take
courage; yes, wait for the Lord” (Psalm 27:13-14).
“Why are you in
despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God,
for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence” (Psalm 42:5).
“Out of the depths
I have cried to You, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive to
the voice of my supplications … I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His
word I do hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the
morning …”
(Psalm
130:1-6).
When
you’re struggling to even read your Bible, put on a CD of Scripture-filled
music.
In the midst of your despair, soak in His Word and allow
the Lord Jesus to heal your heart and bring you His hope “with the washing of water by the word” (Ephesians 5:26).
Principle #3: Seek Help
Abound in Hope
I wish I could say that my circumstances have had a
miraculous turnaround and now “everything-is-great-I’m-doing-just-fine.”
But
that would be me wearing a mask. The truth is that things still are challenging
and some days still are hard.
Peter Scazzero, author of Emotionally
Healthy Spirituality, observes, “Our losses are real. And so is our God, the
living God.”
As
I continue to find shelter in the presence of the living God, rest in His Word,
and seek help, I increasingly find hope and healing for the losses in my life.
My
hope for you, dear one, is that you will do the same. This is my blessing
prayer over you and over me:
“Now may the
God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in
hope by the power
of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).
Your
friend on the journey,
Barbara
Cerullo is devoted to authentically
sharing God’s love with women. She authors From Barbara’s Heart,
where her spiritual insights, heartwarming family stories, and delightful
anecdotes encourage readers with God’s faithfulness. Her husband, David, is CEO
of Inspiration Ministries.
*Peter
Kipley, Wordspring Music LLC, Songs From the Indigo Room
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