A Thin Line Between Hope and Despair

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CELERY

Hope and despair are two contradictory feelings I have experienced in the past. It was something I had accepted as part of growing up. It was easy for me to shift from one to the other, depending on the situation or circumstances I was facing.

Later, I saw that there is but a thin line separating these two opposing feelings. How does one remain hopeful through trials and not cross the thin barrier into despair? Or how does one gripped by despair break through the thin line into hope?

I remember that in troubled times, I would suffer from interrupted sleep. I was unable to concentrate on my current tasks and responsibilities. Deep down, I was overcome with panic, fear, restlessness, or anxiety. Yet I would recover, manage the problems, and get back on track. I thought I had it all under control.

The Shift

More serious and challenging problems came with no immediate or simple solutions. This time, my usual approach and way of working out things did not succeed. I made poor choices, even with some direction and guidance. I was at a loss on what to do next. A sense of helplessness and desperation began to envelop me. I trapped myself in my negative thoughts and feelings and felt imprisoned by them. I gave up. It was during those moments that I sought and cried out to God!

The light came in. I learned to look at my situation in a much bigger picture. The most beautiful part of this insight is that my hope was restored and is no longer affected by the size of my problems. My hope is in God in whom I realized all answers lie. Like the image above, I now feel free no matter what the circumstances are! The key is not to focus on myself but God.

Psalm 18: 7, 18-20 In my distress, I called out: LORD! He rescued me from my mighty enemy, from foes too powerful for me. They attacked me on my day of distress, but the LORD was my support. He set me free in the open.

6 COMMENTS

    • Celia, very inspiring! I m sure lots of us had the same experience.
      Will continue praying for all of us! God bless!

  1. Beautiful sharing of your heart, Celia. I want you to know I understand, maybe not fully, but I hear you. Thank you.

  2. Celia , what A beautiful insight on courageously making the shift , restoring hope in God during desperate times . Indeed a realignment in our lives is a strategy to keep our earth journey moving & our faith burning towards the light !

  3. That experience was a blessing Celia. It is a practical demonstration of 2 cor. 1:3-5. God’s Word is true. When God comforts us in trials that same comfort we could share with others going through the same sufferings ergo become channels of His blessing

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