“Lord, I Have a Big Problem!” - When Despair Strikes

There are many things in life that can make us lose heart. We can study with all our might and still get mediocre grades. We can struggle day and night at work, yet the results still do not show. We can try every possible way to find a partner, but the one meant for us is still nowhere in sight.

When we tell a friend about it, the response we often get is: “Keep your spirits up! Don’t lose heart!” Unfortunately, what is easy to say is very hard to put into practice.

So then, what does the Bible say about despair, and how do we overcome it?

1. Hold On to Hope

Despair is something that happens in our minds, but has not yet been acted on or made real. From our thoughts, actions will be born that are triggered by that despair. For example, when we think we will not get good grades even though we have studied, we become lazy to keep trying. Without realizing it, we look for excuses or situations that make our intention to study fall through.

Therefore, the first thing we must change is our thinking, or more precisely, our mindset.

Plant this in your mind: there is still hope. It is not all over here. A person stops doing something because they lose hope. They believe that even if they try, the result will still be the same. Never lose hope. If you lose hope, you lose life. Without hope, everything is over (Ortberg, 2016).

Why do you keep working on your thesis even though you are mentally exhausted and want to give up? Because you have hope that one day you will surely graduate. Why are you willing to do your very best at work? Because you believe that one day what you are doing will bear sweet fruit. Why do you faithfully pray and ask God for a spouse? Because there is hope that God will give you the best partner at the right time.

Don’t lose hope. When the sun goes down, the stars come out. A saying goes that when the sun sets, the stars will appear. So, do not lose hope, and keep expecting the best. By thinking positively, we are actually enabling ourselves to look for solutions and do the things that lead to success.

“Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.” – Proverbs 23:18

2. Actively Seek Solutions

After you regain hope, you need to actively seek solutions. Faith without works is dead (James 2:17), and hope not accompanied by action is equally in vain.

There are two types of solutions that can be applied: - Continue What You Have Been Doing

When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet. But he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Then Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." They called the blind man and said to him, "Take heart. Get up, He is calling you." – Mark 10:47-49

If you are sure that you are on the right path or using the right method, keep doing it. Do it more often and more consistently.

Bartimaeus had already found the right way. He wanted healing, and he cried out to the right person, namely Jesus. He knew Jesus was able to heal him, so he kept crying out for His mercy. Even though others told him to be quiet, Bartimaeus did not despair; in fact, he cried out even louder.

When you have already done what is right, but the results are not yet visible, keep doing your part. One day you will surely reap the results. You will never know how close you are to the outcome if you give up. Try once more, and once more, and once more! - Change the Strategy, Not the Goal

Sometimes, to get out of a problem, doing the same thing over and over is not enough. There is a saying, “If you do the same thing but expect a different result, you are crazy” (McKean, 2016). To get out of despair, you may need a different method or strategy.

If you feel stuck, discuss it with a mentor, leader, spiritual guide, or someone you trust. Ask for their help so that you can see from a different perspective or find another way out.

For example, you try to have your quiet time at night, but you always fall asleep or cannot focus. Your goal remains the same: “I must have my quiet time.” Then how do you keep from falling asleep? Change the time to the morning. If you still fall asleep, try taking a shower before your quiet time so you feel more refreshed. Change the strategy, but never the goal.

3. Keep Praying

If you have already done the first and second points, do not forget this third one. Remember that people can only make plans, but God is the one who gives the outcome (Proverbs 16:9). Include God in all your plans. Believe that prayer can change many things, both our circumstances and our hearts.

“Commit your works to the LORD, and your plans will be established.” – Proverbs 16:3

Speaking of despair, the Apostle Paul was someone who was at great risk of being struck by despair. Imprisoned, insulted, chained, even pelted with stones, he went through it all in his journey as a follower of Christ and a preacher of the gospel.

Did he despair? No. What enabled Paul to endure to the end was his belief that God was the source of his strength. Without a good relationship with God, Paul might have given up halfway.

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that this surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” – 2 Corinthians 4:7-9

Who is the source of your strength? Do you still pray to God in joy and in sorrow? If not, come to Him at once to ask for help and strength.

When you are in despair, hold on to hope you have, keep seeking solutions, and keep praying! Do not wallow in despair for too long. Why? Because we have an extraordinary God, far greater than all our problems. So, do not say, “Lord, I have a big problem.” Instead, say, “Hey, Problem, I have a Most Great God!”

* Church GKDI is currently present in 35 cities. We have Bible study activities in every area. If you need information or would like to get involved, contact us at contact Church GKDI Official: WhatsApp 0821 2285 8686 or Facebook / Instagram GKDI Official

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