Finding Strength in Despair

by Charleen Burghardt

How do you find strength in despair? As we look around us at the circumstances in the world, it is easy to feel discouraged or defeated. Then we look at situations in our lives that seem monumental and don’t know where to turn. Financial struggles, career setbacks, health issues, grief, illness, or scary diagnoses seem part of life on this planet. Job stress, relationship strain, or personal defeat occupy our minds. Sometimes we carry burdens for our loved ones with no solution in sight. We often despair and want strength.

Why is life like this? Once we tackle one problem, another one surfaces.

one after another

Do you need strength in despair?

Similarly, Habakkuk, an Old Testament prophet, wrestled with overwhelming concerns and profound questions. He despaired about the evil in his nation of Judah, which led him to lament. He poured out his sorrow and then asked God for help.

Despair, discouragement, defeat

In response, God predicted judgment on Judah. That is not the response Habakkuk wanted to hear, he struggled to comprehend God’s ways. The conversation continued, and finally, God reminded to Habakkuk that the righteous live by faith.

The righteous live by faith

Habakkuk feared what would befall his country, but acknowledged the Holy One as the Sovereign Lord. He shifted. He turned from worrying to meditating on God’s trustworthy and merciful character. In faith, he said that no matter the circumstances, he will remember God’s faithfulness and rejoice.

Strength came in his despair

Below is Habakkuk’s shift in thinking.

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
    and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
    and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
    and the cattle barns are empty,
 yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
    I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! (Habakkuk 3:17-18 NLT).

God is my salvation and God is my strength in despair

Then, Habakkuk looked to the Lord to be his strength in despair. The prophet used a metaphor of deer and how surefooted deer climb cliffs. Deer, known for their agility and speed, outrun predators with powerful long legs. Their tough hooves allow them to handle rugged terrain without stumbling or falling. These graceful animals can scamper up what appears to be a vertical cliff, undeterred by seemingly impossible topography.

The Sovereign Lord is my strength!
    He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
    able to tread upon the heights (Habakkuk 3:19).

God would be the prophet’s strength. God would enable Habakkuk to overcome as deer ascend heights.

In trying times, it is easy to become discouraged and even defeated.  The difficulties we encounter, we may not understand. However, we can be honest by channeling our frustration and fears into prayers. It’s okay to wrestle with questions and to lament. God is big enough to handle our complaints and anger. King David poured out his complaint to God in many psalms in what we call lament psalms. David didn’t hold back his raw feelings.

Be honest with God

Regardless of the situation, we can focus on the Lord Jesus. In faith, we reframe or change our perspective to God’s faithfulness.

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise (Hebrews 10:23 NLT).

God can be trusted to keep his promise

As a result, God gives strength in despair. We can praise. Praising God doesn’t alter our situation, but changes our focus and lightens our burden.

God will transform our feeble feet into agile feet to surmount hurdles. We step confidently into whatever God calls us to do and watch in wonder as he accomplishes his purposes.

Prayer:

Sovereign Lord, you are the giver of life. By the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, you overcame. Help us center our lives on you and not ourselves. Be our strength like you were for Habakkuk. Empower, enable, and equip us to tackle the day’s challenges and life’s difficulties.

Amen.

If this post spoke to you, comment and share. I would love to hear from you.

Click on the button below to subscribe to my blog

Grace Offers Hope,