Despair vs. Hope

by Donna L. Watkins

Originally Published in "A Healing Moment"

© 2007 Donna L. Watkins - Sasanqua Camellia - Maiden's Blush

In our many troubles we often lose faith that God is still providing for us. God does not forget us. He who feeds the sparrows will always furnish our needs also. Our doubts and despair can get in the way of that provision though.

In Numbers 14 the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron about the Israelites He had been providing for. These people had seen many miracles and yet they were complaining. The Bible calls it rebellion. The torment and slavery that they had prayed for so long to be freed from now looked appealing to them. They were wishing they had died back in Egypt rather than where they were.

Grumbling can bring death. It brings our body, soul and spirit downward and that makes it hard to be in good health. 3 John 1:2 states, "Beloved, I wish above all things that you prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers." To me, that says that our soul has a lot to do with our prosperity, whether it be finances or health.

Sometimes I tell the Lord that I know I am acting like a spoiled child that is never satisfied. I get an idea of something I want and exactly how I want it and when God doesn't make it happen, I want to pout. I'm normally a grateful person but I can get pretty grumpy sometimes when things don't go my way. Maybe you can relate?

2 Kings 5 tells of a man named Naaman who had his own idea of how God would heal him and when it didn't go that way, he went away in a rage.

We get too wrapped up in what we want and we listen to the Enemy's whisperings in our ears instead of standing on the promises of God and walking in faith that He will fulfill them in His perfect timing and in His perfect way.

We must not discredit our Father with our anxiety. We are to trust and remind ourselves, every minute if necessary, that "He cares for me." (I Peter 5:7) Remember: "What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee." (Psalm 56:3)

What we think and speak about our lives has a great deal to do with how our lives go. Those Israelites got what they continually spoke. Since then Jesus has died for our sins and we can come to God through Him to seek forgiveness for our murmuring. Seek righteousness and focus on today only. (Matthew 6:33-34)

Be patient! God has not forgotten you. Take the weapons of your faith and stand with armor and shield against those whisperings (many of which come through the media of our day). Do not despair. God does care and His eyes are on you. Our afflictions are for our good and for training for righteousness. We just see the side of the tapestry of our lives that has all the strings, knots and loops. God is weaving a magnificent thing within your life. Hold one!

The blackest night will give way to a beautiful sunrise. Don't keep the dark around you by murmuring. Throw off the heavy blankets of discouragement and renew your mind in the mist of Truth. Stay in the Word and He will send you refreshment daily.

On the pages of every trial there is a Light shining. The words that hurt you, the cruelty you experienced, your financial situation, the health problem that causes pain and loss of abilities --- they are all known to Him and they can be gone. We worry too much that our present situation will be our permanent situation. That is without hope and promise. If you believe that, regardless of what the "professionals" say, you have left behind the realm of God that nobody can understand or provide scientific evidence of.

If you are trusting Him to take you to eternity in Heaven, you can trust Him with the situation before you!

Stay in the Word and ask Him for Light for today! This quote is particularly inspiring for me. I hope it is a blessing for you also.

"Abraham believed God and said to his eyes, "Stand back!" and to the laws of nature, "Hold your peace!" and to an unbelieving heart, "Silence, you lying tempter!" He simply believed God. " --- Joseph Parker

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