Sadness vs. Despair
January 28|When You Feel Like Giving Up Series
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Even the most mature follower of Jesus will experience deep sadness as they step into ministry and obediently follow. As things move from bad to worse, as poor decisions continue to be made by others, as restoration seems further away, we can choose to numb out or go silent.
But terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days shouldn’t lead to despair. Refusing to despair, Jeremiah voices his hope in God, “Sing to the Lord! Give praise to the Lord! He rescues the life of the needy from the hands of the wicked” (Jeremiah 20.13).
This is similar to the Apostle Paul’s words when he writes about the death of loved ones, we “do not grieve as the rest of mankind, who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4.13).
Grief, yes. Sadness, yes. Plenty of tears, yes—but not despair. There is hope! Use Hillsong’s “Even When It Hurts” to remind you that God often steps into this space to meet us when we say, “I’m here, I’m hurting, and I’m waiting.”
