It’s no use. I didn’t succeed before. Nothing’s changed. Why should I expect anything different? It’s inevitable. All of us have at one time or another had those thoughts run through our hearts. It might have been for an hour, a day, a week, month, or even years. There is nothing that Satan would like more than to convince believers that there is no hope. That is often a major component of depression.
HANNAH OVERTON’S STORY
Hannah Overton had given up hope. Her story is beyond “compelling” (a little nod to the podcast company). Falsely accused of killing her 4-year-old foster son, Hannah was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. This mother of six had to transition from being a homeschooling mother of six to being a resident of a maximum-security prison. It became her new home address for seven years. So many times, especially at the beginning, she was filled with resentment, depression. She became suicidal. Most would think she was entitled to exiting this painful life.
JOSEPH’S STORY
That’s probably exactly the same thought that tempted Joseph in the Book of Genesis when he was betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused of rape, became a prison resident, and given a brief glimpse of hope (which was quickly shut down). He spent thirteen years before the tide changed.
GOD NEVER FORGOT HIM
The most important thing about Joseph’s story is that even when he was in darkness, God never forgot Him. That is the reason why day in and day out, even in the most challenging circumstances, Joseph behaved in a way that honored God. He didn’t resign. Joseph chose to make God the ruler of his life, rather than the slave owners and the prison warden. He decided on hope.
GOOD OUT OF BAD?
The Joseph’s attitude is found in Genesis 50. In a miraculous chain of circumstances, h rose to be the 2nd most powerful man in Egypt. Upon the death of their father, the brothers who had sold Joseph into slavery so many years ago were afraid that Joseph would seek revenge on them. Joseph’s response to his brothers’ terror is, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.”
ANTIDOTE FOR HOPELESSNESS
A life-preserver is only of use when a person grabs on to it and holds on for dear life. The Savior can only save those who grab hold of Him and choose to keep holding on. The central attitude adopted by Joseph regarding the betrayals of his brothers was, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good.” (Gen. 50:15-20) He chose to cling to the best antidote to hopelessness: God’s truth. That is eventually the same decision that led to Hannah not taking her own life while in prison. She held on to God’s faithfulness, even in the midst of great darkness.
THIS WEEK’S CHALLENGE
Challenge for this week – start taking regular time to develop God’s viewpoint on your current circumstances. I have found planning spend a day without any electronic media – no Facebook, TV, movies, YouTube, no world news, etc. is extremely helpful. It’s a vacation day for your spirit. Take time to carefully read, listen and reflect on His Word and let it saturate your view of your personal circumstances. Here are a few passages that might be helpful: Psalm 91, Psalm 31:3-5, Psalm 34:17-20. Write down those verses that speak to you and try to commit them to memory. Hopelessness does not have to be inevitably permanent.
Please let me know if your spirit’s vacation day helps bring some light. It might be the rest your soul needs right now. Both Hannah, Joseph, and I have found it extremely beneficial. Break the chain of thinking, “Why should I expect anything different? It’s inevitable.“