The Pit and Battle of Despair

Hello All,

A deep, dark pit is a dreadful place to be in.

In this pit, we are engulfed by the darkness of uncertainty and the depth of despair.

There are some who may feel this darkness and despair in greater depth than others.

But I believe that everyone has felt a certain measure of darkness and despair in their lives.

Many try to deny and ignore such feelings. They perceive such feelings as negative and inappropriate for expression. Thus, they repress such feelings and contrive to displace them with what they would consider as positive feelings.

But God has created us as creatures of emotions.

In the Bible, the book of Psalms, in particular, we find much honesty and freedom of expression of the darkness, pain, sadness and despair experienced by the psalmists themselves.

The Pit and Battle of Despair

By Joanne Liaw Sook Ling (30 June 2016)

I'm plunging into a pit of despair

The burden of despair I cannot bear

I see no light in this bottomless pit

Down I go, nearer to where darkness sits

I am tired of fighting this battle

The fight to live is just unbearable

I'm failing; I'm falling; I'm faltering

God knows I've tried to fight, but I'm losing

My knowledge of God feels unreal to me

I know He's good; His goodness I can't see

His love, grace, and mercy I cannot find

For hopelessness engulfs my feeble mind

Points for Reflection:

You have put me in the depths of the pit, in the regions dark and deep.

(Psalm 88:6 ESV)

·         There are times in our lives when our feelings contradict our knowledge of God. We know in our minds that God is good and loving but our feelings tell us otherwise.

·         Instead of ignoring such feelings, we should bring them to God in prayer and be honest with Him about our struggles.

·         It is important to remember that such darkness and despair will not last forever. But it is in this time of darkness that God’s comfort and love are most evident.

·         Jesus is the Light of the world who has redeemed us from the darkness of our sins. He experienced darkness, despair, and pain as he hung on the cross. For those who trust in Him, the greatest darkness of mankind has been lifted from us and we stand comforted, secured and redeemed.

·         Although we may be unable to see the light in the darkness of our current situation, we have hope in Christ, the Light, who experienced darkness in our place. Cling to Him. Hope in Him. Trust Him.

Depression

Hello All,

Depression is not just another word for sadness.

It is much more than that.

Many describe depression as being trapped in a deep, dark pit of despair. Some describe it as an invisible glass wall between them and their external environment. Others consider it a prolonged condition of emotional numbness – the inability to feel happy, sad, angry or anything at all.

A deep sense of darkness and hopelessness engulfs the mind and heart of the depressed. It is an indescribably dreadful state to be in.

Depression may not be visible to the eye, but it is real. It may seem like an abstract condition to those who have never been through it. But it is anything but abstract. It is anything but unreal.

Depression

By Joanne Liaw Sook Ling (9 June 2016)

I’m living, but I do not feel alive

I’m breathing, but I can barely survive

I’m hoping, and yet all hope escapes me

Nothing lifts the fog of despondency

There are times I cry uncontrollably

Waves of sadness and grief rush over me

Other times I just feel numb and empty

My emotions are dulled by apathy

My life goes on, in a state of stupor

‘Why should I go on living?’ I wonder

‘You have hope in Christ,’ the Bible tells me

Then hope I shall, though no hope I see

Points for Reflection:

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

(Psalm 42:11 ESV)

·         ‘Then hope I shall, though no hope I see.’

·         Our situation may feel hopeless, but it is not. God may seem like a million miles away, but He is not. God may not seem to care, but He does. He loves us beyond our finite understanding.

·         With whatever little hope you have left in God, cling on to it. Do not let God go for He will never let you go. He has you safely in His mighty hands and you can rest in Him.

·         Jesus Christ, the Light of the world, went through the darkness of despair so that we may have hope. Though that hope may seem like a faint glimmer in the dark, it is brighter than the morning star.

·         Do not keep silent and fight this battle alone. Reach out to friends and loved ones for help. Walk on, although every step may bring you pain. Keep holding on to Christ for He will never let you go.

My Weak and Weary Cry

Hello All,

There are times in our lives when we have hardly any strength left to carry on.

Our resources have run dry and we are just so tired.

Tired of meeting life’s demands. Tired of motivating ourselves. Tired of being strong.

But it is in our weakest moments that God’s strength is most evident. Even if it does not look that way. Even if it does not feel that way.

My Weak and Weary Cry

By Joanne Liaw Sook Ling (30 June 2016)

Dear Lord, please hear my weak and weary cry

My prayers I utter with a mournful sigh

I have little strength left, please strengthen me

Answer my prayer in Your love and mercy

I'm a wounded gazelle who leaps no more

My feet are wounded, weary and sore

Heal my wounds, O Lord; help me leap again

My vigour and vibrancy, help me regain

You are faithful; though I can't see it now

You'll deliver me; though I don't know how

Strengthen my hands to hold on to You

Help me, in this darkness, to pull through

Points for Reflection:

But God said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

(2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV)

·         Are you weak and weary? Are you tired of being strong?

·         God’s grace does not condemn us for lack of faith, strength and vigour when we are weak but it comforts us and reminds us of God’s strength.

·         Even when we doubt His goodness, He will strengthen whatever little faith we have left in Him, though it be weak and feeble.

A bruised reed God will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench.

(Matthew 12:20a ESV)

·         Take each day one step at a time and do what you can. Plead with God for strength and mercy. Lean on His everlasting arms.

The Brightness of Dawn

Hello All,

Do you look forward to mornings?

Or does the ringing of your alarm clock weigh your heart down with dread?

There are days when we wake up and tell ourselves, ‘What a beautiful morning this is!’

But more often than not, we dread when dawn approaches.

We dread to face the day ahead. We fear the stress, struggles, uncertainties and heartaches that lie ahead of us.

God knows our fears and He is by our side as we wake up each morning.

The Brightness of Dawn

By Joanne Liaw Sook Ling (24 March 2016)

Dedicated to my friend, Wong Yoke Ling.

Morning is here

You know my fears

My prayers You hear

You calm my fears

Daybreak is here

Darkness it sears

You are right here

To dry my tears

Daylight is here

Sunrays appear

Fears disappear

When You draw near

Dayspring is here

The sky is clear

No rain and tears

Your joy draws near

The dawn has come

Bright is its sun

The Son has come

To Him, we run

Points for Reflection:

Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

(Psalm 30:5b ESV)

·         What keeps you awake and gives you sleepless nights? What do you fear at the start of each day? What brings you fear and tears to your eyes?

·         We will have troubles in this world. But for those of us who trust in Jesus Christ, we know that our troubles are temporal. Our troubles are only for this life and there will be a day with no more suffering and tears.

·         Heaven is our true home. In the meantime, we are sojourners of this earth, travelling the dusty road of this life. Though each step may seem like a heavy one to make, God gives us the strength to journey on. He comforts us and wipes away our tears. He sends people to share our burdens and lessen the pain of this life.

·         Who helps you sleep peacefully at night? Who gives you courage at the start of each day? What brings you comfort and hope? I hope you can say to yourself, ‘Jesus Christ!’ Run to the Son!