Dealing With The Dark Clouds Of Despair
By Pastor Mitch
March 02, 2018
DEALING WITH THE DARK CLOUDS OF DESPAIR
I was on the roof of Bethany when I took this picture. There were dark clouds passing overhead and it looked like it was going to rain soon. When we look at such a picture, what is it that comes to mind? We can see the dark clouds or we can see the silver lining. When David was going through a tough time, he was almost overwhelmed by the dark clouds of doubt and despair.
How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?…” Psalm 13:1
Lest I sleep the sleep of death;…” Psalm 13:3
David was struggling within his soul about the Lord being silent when he prayed and how his enemies seemed to have the upper hand. Thoughts of death, doubts and feelings of sorrow threatened to overwhelm him. He needed the Lord to shine through all this darkness that he was grappling with. He needed to fight despair. How did he go about it?
- Choosing to pray for enlightenment
Consider and hear me, O Lord, my God; enlighten my eyes…” Psalm 13:3
The best thing to do when we are in despair is to pray. David prayed for enlightenment to help him see through the gloom. He needed to have an enlightened perspective to see beyond his despair. We too need to trust God with enlightened spiritual eyes. There must be that clarity of thought and mind from the Scriptures even as we trust.
- With trusting in the Lord’s mercy
But I have trusted in Your mercy…” Psalm 13:5
He also fought despair by exercising trust in the Lord’s extensive mercies. He had experienced the Lord’s mercies in the past. He was now re-focusing on renewing his trust in the Lord. The Lord’s mercies are truly abundant. We can have a greater trust for the future. We can rejoice in our salvation and count the many blessings that He has blessed us with. Let’s learn to fully trust in the Lord’s mercies.
