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“My Father, if it is possible, take this cup of suffering from me! Yet not what I want, but what you want.”
Jesus’ time in Gethsemane shows people that He, too, is capable of experiencing an overwhelming sense of grief and anguish. It serves as a reminder that hopelessness is a natural phenomenon, a human emotion that can strike whenever and whoever.
But when Jesus endures it Himself, how can people find strength from faith in times of despair?
Everybody knows life should be lived optimistically—that the only way to move forward is to look at it through light and never in darkness. With constant reminders about how they should look forward to rainbows after the rain, it’s only natural that they begin doing so whenever they’re troubled.
However, people can only have so much hope in their hearts, especially when constantly shoved with pain and rejection. There will come a time when they feel hopeless, and when this happens, what should they do?
What to Do in Time of Despair?
Judith Mackie, alongside her team of believers, has founded Binding Broken Hearts, an organization centralized in introducing Jesus to individuals seeking hope.
In a world riddled with chaos and pain, hope can seem futile. But Judith desires that people realize they have Jesus to count on as a never-ceasing source of hope and inspiration through her organization. When days are dire, faith in times of despair becomes the strongest weapon people can carry to unburden and build themselves up.
When people are troubled, they don’t have to find a resolution to everything. Often, they must surrender themselves and their woes to Jesus, and He will deliver them from difficulties. This is the integral message at the core of Judith Mackie’s organization. It reminds people that despite feeling lost and alone, Jesus will pick them up and heal them back into their strongest, most pristine condition. He will bind every broken piece of their lives until they’re whole again.
Despair Defined From A Biblical Perspective
Despair is a sensitive and tricky subject to talk about, but the feeling encompassing it is even more complicated. When people find themselves in it, they may feel multiple emotions simultaneously. It can be burdensome yet emptying, a sense of absolute nothingness bearing the weight of everything.
When someone finds themselves in despair over a situation, one can only imagine how difficult they have it. It’s a natural human reaction to want to help alleviate the stress the other is feeling. However, from a Christian or Biblical perspective, this can be considered taboo.
Despair is the loss of hope. It can be equivalent to disbelief in God, for who is He other than the provider of hope? Being in despair means fixating one’s gaze on a life without Him. It means choosing to live in pessimism because one has already shunned the idea of Him in one’s life.
To Christians, despair is the opposite of faith. This is why it’s long been considered frowned upon and unacceptable. However, multiple stories in the Bible showcase Jesus’ mercy towards those suffering. Instead of crucifying them for their doubt, He empowers them to have faith in times of despair.
Signs You’re Struggling in Faith
When people are struggling to believe and are on the verge of hopelessness, they begin to isolate themselves and lose the light that guides their path. It’s during these dark times that people succumb fully to despair.
It’s agonizing to lose oneself in despair. However, the first step to conquering and overcoming this is recognizing the signs and stopping it the moment it threatens to occur.
Despair is spiritual and psychological. Hence, when looking for signs, people have to observe both aspects of their lives. Are they struggling to come to terms with their current situations? Do they feel like they’ve lost the purpose behind their struggles and lives?
In other words, are they simply suffering in life without seeing an end goal or meaning through it?
If anyone answers “Yes” to any of these questions, they may be knee-deep in despair. In times like these, people have been repeatedly told that the only way out is through. However, they’ve failed to realize that the antidote is often God-given hope.
Finding Jesus in the Storm and Faith in Times of Despair
Just like what Judith Mackie communicates through her organization, Jesus is the answer whenever people find themselves lost. He is the anchor that strengthens people’s sails and the light that guides them through darkness. Having faith in times of despair is the solution and eager anticipation of Jesus’ mercy and kindness. It’s equivalent to believing that He is always there, with His hands outstretched, ready to save and help those who need Him.
But that’s the caveat: For Him to help them, they must first surrender before His mercy. After all, the more they struggle alone, the more they may find themselves drifting away from His help.
For Christians, there is always power in letting go and giving control over to Jesus. In times of despair, holding on may only cause the ship to sink faster. Often, they have to find the courage to let go and let the current take them to salvation. Believe that there will always be better days ahead with Jesus’ love. This is the power of holding onto faith in times of despair.
If you wish to practice your faith when you’re struggling and see the beauty behind vulnerability and letting go, visit Judith Mackie’s website to learn more about faith’s strength. You can also grab copies of books published under her name or the organization!
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