Despair

A favorite verse Psalm 27:13 I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living.

Have you ever been in despair?  It’s a sinking feeling, as if you’re going to die, even though you know you’re breathing.  It’s hopelessness personified through incredible fear that tomorrow may never come, and that you might be alone – really alone – forever.

The writer of this psalm felt that way.

Unless…

He believed.

We lose sign of God’s goodness when we choose to believe lies about his character.  It happened to Eve in the garden and it happens to us in our lives, too.  Whispers that he doesn’t care, he isn’t present, and even that he isn’t real, nag at our brain in the middle of the fog in which we stand.

Despair isn’t part of God’s plan for us, but we have to SHIFT our thoughts to believe in his goodness.  We have to choose to turn from the lies and believe the truth – that our God is indeed good – and his plans for us are good.

Are you looking for his goodness in the “land of the living?” If not, you’re looking elsewhere.  The land of the living is where those who love God dwell in safety, assurance, peace, and joy.  Hang out with those kinds of people, and glean from their faith, and believe…once again…and watch despair turn into hope…