Hope for a heart drowning in despair
By; George Oduor
The residual effect of living through this pandemic has had quite an impact on our mental state of being. The disruptions in the normal routines and the rhythms of everyday life, have contributed a lingering unease and sadness in the hearts of many.
To those experiencing the sharpest grief, recovering from the loss of a loved one or the loss of livelihood, my heart truly breaks with you. The absence left by corona virus victims is an unspeakable loss, and the lockdowns and quarantine orders have caused untold suffering, that may have the hardest impact yet, and for a foreseeable future.
The question, “where is God in all of this?” is being asked once again, perhaps, because it touches at the core of the problem, suffering! So how can believers respond to the growing reality of mental health struggles; in a world reeling from the effects of coronavirus and hijacked by misinformation, fake news and conspiracy theories?
In such unprecedented times, believers are called to live in the confidence of our Father in heaven. The scriptures encourage us to let the promises of God diffuse throughout our hearts, and embrace them fully. I love the way the psalmists wrestle and fight and struggle to maintain their hope in God. “Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet will I be confident.” [Psalm 27:3]
Despair is something we’ve all dealt with at some point no doubt – and on a personal level, knowing by a most painful experience, what deep depression of spirit means, I believe it consolatory to gather my thoughts on this fragile subject.
In the quieter moments of solitude, there are those internal narratives we tend to have; those stories we tell ourselves at our wit’s end. We spend a great deal of time rewriting them, over and over. Dark chapters full of losses, broken dreams and shuttered ambitions.
The conflict and drama is usually internal. The lead character mostly hides in the shadows much of the time; stalking and measuring each of our moves. With a cloud of darkness over our head, he heralds us into a deep, dark valley with insurmountable mountains of sadness, towering high above, blocking out any hope for escape.
It is like wearing tinted glasses. Everywhere you look, things look dark. Bleak. Black. Hopeless. Helpless. The book of Isaiah perhaps describes it best, as “the spirit of heaviness!” [Isaiah 61:3] Unchecked, it can hijack our relationship with God and the truth that He is “Lord of heaven and earth” [Matthew 11:25].
So why then, you must ask, is Christ described in the scriptures as, “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief?” [Isaiah 53:3]. Three times in the bible, there’s evidence of Jesus weeping. [John 11:35, Luke 19:41, Hebrews 5:7] It is important to note that the things that brought sadness or joy to Christ, were not the mundane things of this world.
The truth is, each of us will be whirled from off our feet, discouraged at a point in life. The strong are as susceptible, the wise not always ready, the courageous not always audacious, and the cheerful not always triumphant. There may be here and there men of steel, to whom wear and tear work no visible damage, but surely the rust frets even those.
While many are still bound hopeless to this life-sapping state of mind – believers have somewhere to turn to, truths to affirm, and words to proclaim; until our hearts catch up with the faith we profess. Christ didn’t just save and deliver the broken-hearted, He experienced all the pains and temptations we encounter daily. At the cross, He wilfully chose pain and suffering; so we might have eternal, unfading, always-increasing hope and happiness.
In the midst of the overwhelming bleakness that may characterize the current state of life, He is reaching out to give us a future and a hope. Where we see failure, He sees opportunity for growth. Where we feel helpless, He sees an opportunity to lift our spirits. Where we’ve given up, He whispers, “My grace is sufficient.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
When we become aware of His uniqueness, that He is in a class by himself, utterly set apart, higher than us and glorious than any other, we cry “holy!” When we catch but a glimpse of His infinite intrinsic value and that nothing is greater before Him, we surrender in worship, and reverence; trusting Him for the impossible.
Life is not trouble free; Jesus did not sugar-coat what it means to follow him. No surprise how much life fails us; it is a failing world! Life will be hard. But our hope lies in what Christ has already done, “He overcame sin and death.” He told His disciples, “In this world you will have sorrow, but take heart, I have overcome the world.” [John 16:33]
Contrary to the misconception out there, this world is not run by an absentee landlord. [Colossians 1:16] And just like the story of the angel being delayed by the prince of Persia in the book of Daniel, [Daniel 10] some stroke is already being added to the cosmic canvas, by ‘the chief artist,’ who calls Himself the Author and Finisher of our faith; and that in due course He shall come to your rescue. [Psalms 34:17-19] The hope of what awaits transforms the experience of waiting.
Grace is for times like this, when the only certainty is God’s unfailing hold on us; when the only comfort we can count on is His. We live in a broken world! The sadness we feel over its wickedness is exactly how we should feel. The darkness surrounding us is real. Grief and disgust is entirely appropriate for our fallen world!
Nonetheless, the very first step in taking back control of your life, is to surrender it to Jesus. Come fair or come foul – fix your thoughts on Him and the promise that He is preparing a better place for you; as one of His true remnants. [John 14:2-3]. Remember, Simon sinks till Jesus takes him by the hand. That same hand, is today reaching out to save you from drowning in a sea of despair!
We live in a broken world, but God is telling us to fix our eyes on Him!
Amen! Much blessings to you.