When Discouragement and Despair Come

There are any number of things in life to discourage
us, putting us in a state of despair. It may be the loss of a mate
or maybe even a child. It may be loss of health, or one’s job. It
can be family problems, or maybe mismanagement of one’s
finances that has put the family in a very difficult situation,
facing the danger of losing their home and other important
items. It may be a family member becoming terminally ill or
disabled that has put one in the position of caregiver that is
difficult to do and causing one to face many difficult decisions
regarding their care.
I may not be the person to discuss this issue because of
the discouragement and despair that I myself have had to deal
with over the years. But on the other hand, I realize that there
are people that have faced things far worse than anything I
have ever thought about dealing with. In reading the book of
Job I wonder how he could possibly have withstood that kind
of storm of life. Tragedy after tragedy until it was only God
and Job. I have watched people in life face tragedies upon
tragedies and yet they kept their faith and footing, How? I
hope in this article to help some precious saint who may
presently be struggling with difficulty in their lives.

Sometimes it helps to know that we are not alone in the things we face,
regardless of what they may be. The Bible gives sufficient examples of those who faced discouragement and despair, just as we do today.
Elijah serves as an example of discouragement and despair. He had great success in dealing with Ahab the king of Israel. The problem for Elijah started when Jezebel heard what he did to the four-hundred and fifty prophets of Baal. “Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, so, let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time” 1 Kings 19:2. Hearing this Elijah fled for his life. He went to Beersheba and went a days’ journey into the wilderness and sat down under a Juniper tree. While sitting there “he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers” 1 Kings 19:4. While asleep under the Juniper tree an angel touched him twice and told him to get up and
eat and so he did and it sustained him forty days and nights till he arrived at Horeb the mount of God. Here he dwelt in a cave, until the word of the Lord came to him, and he said unto him, “what doest thou here Elijah? Keep in mind the word of God did not ask him this question because he did not know. He wanted Elijah to realize and consider. Notice Elijah’s response “ I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel
have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away” 1 Kings 19:10. Afterward there was a high wind that split the mountains, followed by an earthquake, then fire and a small still voice. Elijah then came to the mouth of the cave and a voice said to him, “what doest thou here, Elijah?” Elijah again responds “ I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword;
and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away” 1 Kings 19:14. The Lord’s response was get out and be about my business verses 15-17. The Lord then reminded Elijah that I have seven thousand in Israel that have not bowed the knee to Baal, and every mouth hath not kissed him verse 18.
There are still others such as David, Psalms 27:7-13, also see Psalms 42:1-11. What about Jeremiah. We see this in Jeremiah 8:18 and Lamentations 1:22. Moses is another example, Numbers 11:10-15.

What can possibly help in times like these? Let me suggest somethings that helped me.

One, realize that it is only temporary. It will not last forever. I know that does not help at the present, but just knowing that it is temporary is encouraging. Second, remember that the Lord has promised never to leave us and forsake us. “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” Hebrews 13:5. Realize faithful Christians are willing to help share your burdens, if you let them. “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ” Galatians 6:2. Also consider Matthew 25:35-36. Another important thing is to realize the power of prayer and that our father in heaven has promised to hear and that we can find grace and mercy to help us in the time of need, James 5:16, First Peter 3:12 and Hebrews 4:16. Another important thing is study your bible and see the difficulty God’s
people faced and the compassion, love, faithfulness and care God showed them.
When discouragements and despair come let us help one another in the midst of it, and rejoice with one another at the end of it.

God Bless,

Bill Cantrell