Despair Is Not My FutureSample

What comes to mind when you think of the word despair? When someone or something you counted on did not work out as planned? When battling something no one else seems to understand?

My “pits of despair” was in the form of battling major depression. I could not see the work that was being done in the secret place and what was possible on the other side of healing. Fast forward to several years later, and I can see the positive from the pits. Driven and determined became the trajectory of my life–forever changed because of that pivotal season at rock bottom.

It was not a miraculous healing but took lots of prayer, grit, and professional counselling to climb out. Side note: It's not to say it has been complete sunshine and roses ever since. It has been a lifelong journey, but I know the One who is for me.

He is for redemption.
He is for healing.
He is for grace.
He is for compassion.

What life throws at us does not always make sense. Then sprinkle in some “why me?” and top it off with “if only…”

It can appear that there is no light at the end of the tunnel, but there is! God is with you, and He is for you.

I pray that in the pits of your own despair–some tiny, microscopic light will flicker to give you an ounce of hope. It only takes an ounce of hope to see what is possible. In fact, the Bible gives us an example of something powerful that is quite small. Faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains.

Keep crying out to Him.
Yell if you must.
Open His living Word for the promises that He is there amidst the pain.

(Deborah Heerwagen, Orphan's Promise Regional Coordinator)