Tempted to Despair
As this trial our family is enduring drags on, I’m tempted to despair. In my weaker moments I do feel like hope is slipping away. Then I need to remind myself of what a wrote a few days ago, When You are Down, Look Up!
Dawn and I are usually in a position of encouraging others. Both of us have gifts in the area of encouragement and exhortation. We love to come alongside our friends and strengthen them.
Reminded that We are Weak
Now we are weak. Now we are at a place where we need people to come alongside us.
It has been encouraging, and it does give us hope knowing that we have so many people both near and far away that love us and are praying for us.
We do need you now!
Promises & Hope Found in Psalm 34
I also seek to follow my own advice by looking to Jesus. There are a number of passages in Psalm 34 that give me hope.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. (vs. 4)
This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. (vss. 6, 7)
The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry. (vs. 15)
When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all troubles. The LORD is near the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. (vss. 17, 18)
—Psalm 34:4, 6, 7, 15, 17 & 18 (ESV)
I’m reminded we too are weak people in need of Jesus. I knew that before, but I know it more acutely now. God is good. He will carry us through this.
Hope for the Future
The passage I keep on my desk gives me hope.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plan to give you hope and a future.”
—Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Believe that with me. Thanks for standing with us in prayer. We desperately need prayer and hope during these days!
In His Grip, Dave
DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org
P.S. I find it therapeutic to write about what we are going through. I’m purposely not sharing all the details, because of their personal nature. Thanks for your interest and concern for me and my family!
22 Comments
By sustainabilitea
Just headed off to pray for you right now. It’s a privilege to do so.
What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer.
2. Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
3. Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he’ll take and shield thee;
thou wilt find a solace there.
janet
By diasolifeontheborder
Thanks – I’ve been singing everyday, Jesus Loves me this I know for the Bible tells so. A simple song that speaks of God’s amazing love.
The song you’ve listed is wonderful and a great encouragement to me.
By Pocketful of Motherhood
Will be keeping you guys in prayer. Thank you for your transparency, and thank you for the reminder that with Jesus living in us, there is always hope no matter how difficult things get. Jer. 29-11 has grown to be one of my favorite verses that gives me hope as well. Blessings and Prayers, Hannah
By diasolifeontheborder
Thanks – it’s hard to live without hope. It’s also hard to live without friends who can give us some hope when we are down.
By Robert Robinson
When you feel this weakness understand that is but flesh. In our weakness we find that our Great Strength comes as Saint Paul declared from the very Lord Himself. It is not your footprints in the sand to coin a phrase. I shall stand in the gap for you and your family Amen.
By diasolifeontheborder
Thanks – we need those who will stand in the gap for us during this tough time.
By Juliet
I will definitely be praying for you. Thank you for sharing your heart in this post. I think one of the great gifts God gives us during difficult time is others coming alongside us and comforting us, encouraging us, helping us, and praying for us. Over the last few years, my family has endured some difficult trials, and as I look back on them, one of the beautiful blessings I received was the love, compassion, and encouragement that friends and family offered during that season.
By diasolifeontheborder
A number of friends called and sent us notes today, which helped lift our spirits. Thanks for your kind note and your encouragement.
By evanlaar1922
very good post!
By diasolifeontheborder
Thanks! Things are looking up!
By Charis Psallo
Praying
By diasolifeontheborder
thanks!
By Jim Duszynski
Praying!
By diasolifeontheborder
Thanks – I greatly appreciate it!
By Mary Lichlyter
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in his excellent word!
What more can he say than to you he hath said,
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
In every condition – in sickness, in health,
In poverty’s vale or abounding in wealth,
At home and abroad, on the land, on the sea –
As thy days may demand shall thy strength ever be.
“Fear not, I am with thee – O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
“When through deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
For I will be with thee thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
“When through fiery trials thy pathways shall lie,
My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.
“E’en down to old age, all my people shall prove
My constant, eternal, unchangeable love;
And when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they will still in my bosom be borne.
The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose
I will not, I will not desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no, never, no, never forsake.”
(“K,” Rippon)
By diasolifeontheborder
Thanks for that wonderful hymn – Singing God’s truth is like a healing balm for the soul.
By @homelesscrisis
I am sorry to hear of your despair. We are in despair also my friend. We will be closing our nonprofit ministry this April. I pray to Jesus and His Father in heaven to lift up you and your family and make you stronger then ever before doing the will and desire of God the Father. I make thie request in Jesus’ name. May He bless you. Amen
By diasolifeontheborder
We are doing much better. The Lord has been lifting us up, so we thank you so much for your prayers.
We are still in the battle, but the Lord is giving us his strength.
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