Freedom From Despair

"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed: perplexed, but not in despair;..." (2 Corinthians 4:8)

If there was anyone who could claim a "right" to be in despair it would be the apostle Paul.  Chased over roof tops, let down over walls, hidden in baskets, imprisoned, beaten, shipwrecked, bitten by a snake, stoned, left for dead, just to name a few of the reasons he might become depressed and in despair.  By this time I probably would have some doubts and fears, my carnal nature would be looking for some relief, but not Paul, he dusts' himself off, straightens his tunic, goes back into the fray.  How could he do it?  It was this attitude,one that we all need to cultivate; "For our light (Huh! light?) and momentary (sometimes they never seem to end?) troubles are achieving for us and eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" (2 Corinthians 17-18; with my additional thoughts)..

Paul Bunyan in his famous classic, "Pilgrims Progress", a must read for every Christian, has the main character whose name is Christian; in one of the memorable scenes having trouble finding the pathway, had to deal with poisonous vines, soggy ground, sleeping under an oak tree in a downpour. The next morning Giant Despair came upon him, beat him, imprisoned him in Doubting Castle. Christian tried to sing, but couldn't. Giant Despair beat him mercilessly, he grew weaker each day. Then Christian found a rope, a knife, and a bottle, the tools of suicide and for a moment he was tempted to end his misery. But one evening about midnight he began to pray, and. ...a little before day, good Christian, as one half amazed, brake out into this passionate speech: What a fool am I, this to lie in a stinking dungeon when I may as well walk at liberty! I have a key in my bosom, called Promise, that will, I am sure, open any lock in Doubting Castle.  Using the key of God's promises, Christian escaped, never again to fall into the clutches of Giant Despair or Doubting Castle.

Daily Prayer:

I patiently waited, LORD, for you to hear my prayer.
You listened and pulled me from a lonely pit
Full of mud and mire.
You let me stand on a rock with my feet firm,
And you gave me a new song,
a song of praise to you. (Psalm 40:1-3a)
Thank you Heavenly Father for Your assured promises, for walking with me through the struggles of despair that have come over me and for the freedom from despair by Your Love and the guidance by You Holy Spirit.  I cast all my cares upon you.                                                       Amen