Depths of despair

One single day can pull us from the depths of despair.

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

I love Anne of Green Gables. One of the expressions Anne uses often is that she’s “in the depths of despair.”

I have to be honest, I’ve always thought she was being over dramatic, until one summer when I struggled with depression. I’m generally an optimistic, joyful, happy person, but I could not shake this funk. I tried talking to God but to be honest I was kind of mad at Him. Until one day when when I choose to forgive Him.

Yes forgive God.

It was not that God had done anything wrong, it was that I didn’t like the answer He had given regarding something I was asking for.

That single act pulled me from my depression, when I choose to let go of my expectations and trust God’s timing.

For many people, myself included. We can be angry or dis-enthralled with God because He doesn’t give us what we want, in the timing we expect it to happen. We do this more than I think any of us would like to admit. But the key to freedom is to let go of the things He asks us to. It doesn’t mean He doesn’t want to bless us with the desires He’s placed in our heart, it means He has something better or maybe we aren’t ready for what that blessing entails.

Not giving our dream over to Jesus is like staying in an old dilapidated house beyond repair because it has memories and nostalgia. When God is saying I have this perfect house over here, and we can build better, happier memories.

That’s the power of forgiveness, it can pull us from the depths of despair in one moment.

What are you holding on to that’s keeping you in the depths of despair?

Trust that God has something better for you, and let go.

Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash