Don't Despair

-
I have this little book in which I record all the thoughts, outlines, ideas, etc., for all the books I'm going to write one day. Today you get a very brief glimpse into one of those topics.

One of the reasons I am thrilled to be a believer is that I value the joy that God gives each one of us. This joy is evident even in difficult circumstances when we don't look or feel at all happy. Joy is that deep down reassurance that God is in control. We do not have to become overcome by our troubles. We do not have to let depression or sadness rule over us.

I am thankful for this gift of joy from God because I believe it has saved me from ever slipping into true despair. 'Despair', as I term it, would be that all consuming focus on the negative, the sad, the absence of hope, the absence of joy. This affects not only self, but also others around you.

Some day I would love to write a book or devotional on this topic, but for now, here are the chapter titles. Admittedly a little 'directive'... but sometimes that is what is needed to draw out of this trap of despair. Meant to be more 'practical' than simply, 'pray about it...." which, although true and very necessary, seems all too hollow sometimes.

Don't Despair... Have Joy

Don't Despair... Be Thankful

Don't Despair... Serve Others

Don't Despair... See God's Good

Don't Despair... Move On

Don't Despair... Embrace the Truth

After I wrote at least these broad concepts out in my 'little book', I know I was personally encouraged. Maybe even this small look into the topic of joy and despair will encourage you today, too.

~lk

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

On Compassion

-
The tension has really ratcheted up in the last couple of weeks.     It seems like people are on edge. Extra nervous.     Almost on the verge of panicking. Is it COVID? Is it the election? Is it the constant uncertainty that we’ve all been under for months and months and months… and months?     So many of us thought that SURELY by the holidays we would have returned to ANY KIND of normal – old normal, new normal, abnormal… something.     But no.     Here we are.     It’s in this unsettled state of existence that my heart has started hurting.  It’s started hurting so much for all the broken people out there.  Yes, there’s been a lot of breaking going on.  Broken hearts, broken lives, you name it, things are breaking.  And there is pain and suffering going on.  And people who are broken need to be seen and heard and understood.   I think what’s needed most right now is some g...
Read more

On Thanksgiving

-
I read an article this afternoon titled, “You have permission to not be thankful this Thanksgiving”.     The author’s point was that no one should have to force themselves to be grateful just because a date on the calendar prescribes that we should be thankful.     She even brought in to her argument the fact that “the original Thanksgiving” (think Pilgrims and Native Americans) was a horrible affair sans turkey or any feelings of thanks or of giving or of compassion and humanity.     True enough, I suppose. I would never argue that someone should be forced to be thankful.     I would never say that someone should be compelled to give thanks for things that they don’t have or for things which have been ripped from their grasp.     Forced joy is not joy.     I get that.   However, if I’m going to argue about anything, I would choose to argue passionately about one thing in this regard.  And here's the reason:   I ...
Read more

Thoughts on Election Day

-
                It’s election day here in America.     A day of red, white, and blue.     Many people have already cast their vote, but others are waiting in lines at polling places, eager to fulfill their civic duty. It’s a day that’s supposed to be a celebration of democracy.     It’s supposed to be a day when we exercise our right to choose leadership for our country that will represent us and help to guarantee that our voices are heard.     It is a day that women and people of color have fought for the right to participate in.     Fought for the right to be included.     It’s a day that’s supposed to bring us together in unity as a nation with hope for a future that will bring us the promises our forefathers, white, male and slave owners they may have been, founded this nation to bring to reality.                ...
Read more