DESPONDENCY

by Hallie Gipson

“Despondency” – not a title I’m sure many of you expected to see the day before Thanksgiving! After all, doesn't Thanksgiving usher in what we refer to as ‘the holiday season’? And aren't we happy and excited about the upcoming festivities shared with family and friends? For many of you, the answer to that would be a resounding, “Yes”! But for others, the holidays prove to be distressing or depressing, and a time when it’s easy to lapse into despondency because of grief, unmet expectations, loneliness, or broken relationships.

If we have feelings of despondency and depression, what are we as Christians to do with those feelings? We can’t deny their existence, for to do so would deny that we are human, created by God to experience a wide range of feelings and emotions.

But God didn't create us with feelings and emotions and then leave us to muddle though on our own when life disappoints. He has given us His precious Word as soothing ointment to our wounded and scarred hearts!

Psalm 13:5-6

But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.

I will sing to the Lord because He has dealt bountifully with me.

So what does ‘despondent’ mean?

Despondent:

·        feeling or showing extreme discouragement, dejection or depression

·        the word implies a deep dejection arising from a conviction of the uselessness of further effort 

If I were despondent, I would believe it useless to keep seeking the Lord.

2 Corinthians 2:14

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.

That scripture reminds me God’s provision is ‘triumph in Christ’ and it is my responsibility to receive it. Unless I take what God provides through His Son, I remain destitute.

Did you notice the word ‘always’ in the verse above?

Always:

•          every time
•          at all times
•          invariably
•          forever
•          perpetually (valid for all time; occurring continually)

At all times and for all time God is leading me in triumph in Christ! That being true, where do I get the power to live a triumphant life in Christ?

2 Cor. 4:7-10

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.”

Hebrews 12:1, 2, 3

“ . . . let us lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

vs. 3

“For consider Him who has endured such a hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

The knowledge of Him and abiding in Him are what God has given me in the fight against despondency, weariness, and depression.

2 Peter 1:3-4

“ . . . His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature . . . “

Father, if I did not know Your word I would be destitute of the knowledge of Him! Forgive me for having eyes fixed on self!!  I sing to You, Lord. You never fail to speak to me! 
I have Christ so therefore I am triumphant in every thing!