Hope in the Midst of Despair

In every effort, and every war for a cause, a shadow eventually passes over the righteous. It blocks out the sun, leaving one bitter and cold, grasping for some foot or hand hold to anchor on to, to keep from being swept up in the dreariness of despair, deceit and fatigue. One searches frantically for any sign of light, for love and the fountain of living water that once poured inspiration so freely into your heart and spirit. “Where is it?” you ask. Where has my heart gone? Is there no more hope? You feel as if you have striven to the very end of your being, to the very end of your inspiration. Every last ounce of Passion in you has been poured into your work, and now you are left dry, lifeless, without cause, purpose, or the means to muster the strength you need to go on. But fear not my brothers and sisters. This happens to all of us, and it is the pivotal point in our journey where we can either falter and completely fade away into darkness, or we can persevere and blossom into strong warriors of God, victorious to our last breath. This is because to persevere is to have faith – to pursue Christ as the foundation of our being and the giver of our passion and strength. The shadow we see is nothing more than the common playground bully. It can pose a threat…if you’ll let it. It has no real power or sway, save only that which you grant it. But if you’ll arise from the darkness and shout into its grisly maw saying “I will not be destroyed! I will not go quietly into the night! For I am a child of God, and I am in the service and inheritance of the Lord! Every weapon formed against me shall not prosper, and every tongue raised against me shall be shown to be in the wrong! My God is mighty, and my cause is righteous, and my God will never abandon me. So be gone despair, In Jesus’ Name!” , that shadow will have no choice but to pass over you as the angel of death did over the Israelites in Egypt. Keep to the Word! Hold on to His promise! He will never let you down, and He will not let you fail if you pursue him with a righteous heart! When we are laid low, we are made great! When we are brought down, that is the time to fight the hardest and to throw off the oppressive cloak of spiritual fatigue and passionless despair! Take Joy in all things, and be praiseful and exalt Him in every situation. As Paul did from his prison cell, so you too can persevere and remain faithful, continuing to have an impact and champion the cause! Be the victor you are meant to be. Hold on to the hope you have in Jesus, the cause He gives you, and never look back. What we do in the face of adversity is what has the greatest impact on the world, and on ourselves. Take up the sword of the spirit. Gird your loins with truth. Don the helmet of Salvation. Apparel your feet with the Gospel, and raise up the Shield of Faith. March into battle with these, and with God in your heart every foe that comes against you shall be laid to waste, spiritually speaking, for our weapons are not carnal but mighty for the pulling down of strongholds. This is a war, and we are the soldiers. Challenges come with the territory, but victory comes with faith! Keep on coming! Rock the very foundations of the enemy and persevere! WE are the knights of this era- the champions of this hour. Light is coming for the heart that holds on! As believers we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. So I encourage you as a brother in Christ to keep on keeping on. The flesh grows weary but the spirit is willing. Look to God in your time of need and encouragement and look to each other, for we are all servants of the most high God, and in working together in His name, victory is a thing assured. If you are wounded and are tempted to despair, remember this – you serve Jehovah Raapha, God who heals. This battle is not over yet, and it will take much more than fatigue to bring our God down! Amen.