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The Hope of Strength in Our Despair

by James Webb  
1/22/2015 / Devotionals

We have troubles all around us, but we are not defeated. We often don't know what to do, but we don't give up. We are persecuted, but God does not leave us. We are hurt sometimes, but we are not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (ERV)

I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. Philippians 4:11b-12 (NASB)

It seems that many of us have dealt with some form of depression (associated with sadness/sorrow/loneliness/loss/etc.), in one manner or another, in our lives at one time or another. To date there have been many different causes considered in relation to the subject of depression. The causes in question could be grouped'technically-speaking'into two major categories: genetically-biological, or psychologically-cognitive; examples of genetically-biological could be (but certainly not limited to): (simplest level) lack of sleep, insufficient exercise, physical illnesses, improper diet, etc.; psychologically-cognitive causes could be developmental, interpersonal, spiritual, etc., in relation to a person's being and/or life experiences. (Often several of these causes working together in relation to the particular depression in question, no less.) Since there can be a wide range of causes in general in relation to the subject of depression (depending on the specific circumstances involved and the particular person[s] involved [psychologically, biologically], that is, no less), I am sure that many could agree that there is probably no "easy fix," so to speak, when it comes to certain cases of depression in one person's life or another.

Now though there might not be an 'easy fix' at times concerning the complexities surrounding the topic of depression, there is One who seems to be more than sufficient to meetand ultimately surpassour needs that we find in our livesespecially in the context of the broken world that we live in (e.g., Phil. 4:19; 2 Cor. 12:9-10). (God is definitely sufficient enough to sustain us in whatever we might face in this liferegardless of the severity of it.) When Elijah, due to the despair that came from the threat of a wicked queen, wanted his life to end (1 Kings 19:4), God sustained him by feeding him, giving him drink, touching him (through the presence of an angel), and by encouraging him to rest so that Elijah could ultimately listen and move forward in the strength of the Lord. (See 1 Kings 19:5-18) When David, facing the complexities that he did time and again over the course of his lifetime, cried out in his despair to God (e.g., Psalm 102), God sustained him as well (causing David in his old age to profess the following about God: "I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread" [Ps. 37:25]). Paul even, when he did find himself time and again in 'unfavorable' circumstances (e.g., 2 Corinthians 4:8-9; cf. 2 Cor. 11:23-29), could write (with confidence, I am sure) what has already been cited above: "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am." (How so for Paul? to be "content in whatever circumstances" that he found himself in, that is? Because, as he states in essence in the verse that follows [v. 13]: "I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me" [GNT].)

Yes, life can be very challenging at times to say the least; sometimes the challenges of life can seem to simply overwhelm a number of us. But regardless of the challenges, regardless of the despair that this life can only seem to offer at times, there is One greater who will hear our cries and bear our burdensever carrying us through this life, ultimately, by His strength and power.

I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the LORD. Psalm 40:1-3 (NLT)

James has served as a teacher, speaker and local church elder. He has an ongoing desire to encourage others by sharing the truly good news of Jesus Christ with them; ultimately bringing honor and glory to God. He may be personally contacted at: [email protected].

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