Can Your Faith Lift You Out Of The Depths Of Despair
Most of us have very strong beliefs and rigid boundaries. We believe in a God or a power greater than ourselves, and we try to be good people. We treat others the way we would want to be treated-most of the time. We sacrifice for our loved ones, and never let them know. (they know!)
We try to stay calm during an argument, and we try to think before we act. We are courteous and kind to our friends, family and neighbors, and strangers we meet along our daily routines. We are trying to be positive in a very negative world. Every little bit helps, and I believe that's the truth.
However, there are situations and worries and despair, that float into our lives on occasion. We aren't our usual friendly self on the phone, we don't write as much, we don't read as much. We are easily agitated and lack any resemblance of patience. We don't get dressed if we don't have to go out, and everything that worries us, is making us cry.
We're still good people, but we are in our basic form. If we are sad, our heart hurts. If we are upset, our stomach hurts, or our heart. If we are mad we want to yell or throw something. We feel as if we've betrayed everyone we know because we're not serving cookies and milk, but throwing the spatula at the kitchen wall.
And then, of course, there's that question in our mind, " Am I really not a good person? " And, " How much batter was on the spatula? " Oh bother-of course you're a good person, you just let it out for a change. You didn't kill anybody, hopefully. Many periods of time are laced with depression and worry. These are the very times that Faith must play it's most important role.
If we learn to think about any given situation in a more positive light, we will feel better because the stress will have been lifted.
This is not an easy task, but one that can drag us out of the depths of despair we can feel over certain situations or relationships. Hope is a wonderful expression of one's self, but Faith strengthens Hope, and seems more solid.
If you have faith in God, you know He is within you. When you have Hope that you'll pass your test, there's no concrete evidence that hoping you'll pass will be enough. However, if you studied and know the work, your Faith is valid in believing you will pass.
If you have Hope that you will one day own a company and make lots of money and have a nice house, that's all well and good, but working hard, and saving money, will allow you to trust your Faith that you will have such. Faith has a power all it's own. It's like a beam of light straight to God's ear. We promise to do our part, and we expect that God will do His.
His part, of course, is answering our prayers. Our faith that we are putting into his hands. And the knowledge that if what we want to happen, doesn't, there was a reason we are just not meant to know yet. But we can have faith that it was the best thing for us in the long run.
We may want a job that pays more than we've ever made, and we hope that we get it… that's different than having faith that we'll get it. We know our job description, we are dressed appropriately, we are pleasant, there is no reason not to believe that we will be hired; we have Faith.
Faith in it's most truest form, is the best gift we can give ourselves. Faith that we'll wake up tomorrow, Faith that our family and friends will be fine, Faith that we'll have grandchildren, and visits, and good times. I think faith trumps Hope. Faith is a true believer, Hope wonders.
And in the depths of despair, Faith provides a warm, enlightened, loving connection to our Father, and bonds us to Whom makes us feel protected. We feel He's listening to us, and working out a plan to help us out. He'll reveal it in some manner.
Remember faith is alive, even when we don't feel as if we are! Cling to it, and pray for God to help you through. You'd be surprised what that can do. Or would you?
Article submitted Thursday, July 16, 2009 & read 364 times.
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» left by Avis Ward (2 years 298 days ago.)
Sue, I didn't know this article was here until now and it reminds me of my latest submission at SW. You've expressed yourself wonderfully about faith. In times like these we need an anchor or plunge deeper into the depths of despair. I was uplifted by this article. Thank you!
My best,
Avis
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» left by Anonymous (2 years 291 days ago.)
hi avis,
great minds think alike :)
again, i haven't gone through all my articles in a while, so i apologize for the delay.
thank yoou for reading and commenting, it's always so nice to hear from you,
my best,
sue
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