When all feels hopeless, what is one thing I can do?

Blog Layout

When all feels hopeless, what is one thing I can do?

Ron Cox • July 31, 2020

When all feels hopeless, what is one thing I can do?

I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands. Psalm 143:5

David prayed this prayer when he was very depressed. The preceding verses tell us that David was being persecuted, and he felt overwhelmed and desolate. However, he did not let his negative feelings control him. He took the initiative to stop looking at himself and to look to God.

David remembered how God had delivered him in the past. God can deliver David now.
David meditated on God’s power in creation. God has power to deliver now.
David mused upon God’s omniscience. God knows every detail. God knows the details of our suffering. He can prescribe the proper remedy.

Three times in Psalms 42 and 43 David talks to himself when feeling down. He speaks the following to himself: Psalm 42:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

During times of suffering, pain, and discouragement we must direct our thoughts Godward. Instead of waiting for someone else to tell us that we need to focus on God, we can tell ourselves.

The three key words in Psalm 143:5 are remember, meditate and muse. They all have to do with meditation. What is meditation? The world would have you think that it is to empty your mind of all thoughts except for example your breathing. It is suggested that you focus only on your breathing without letting your mind wander. Many may suggest health benefits to breathing exercises; however, that is not bible meditation. Bible meditation is serious contemplation of God or Scripture. As we focus on God and His works and word, our faith grows, and God helps us through the adversities of life.

As we meditate on God and His works and word, we do not ask “Why?”. We may never know “Why?”, but we can ask God to use the experiences we are going through to strengthen us and mature us as we find out the “What?” and “How?” of what God wants us to learn and what He has planned for us. We can learn from the experiences of life. Negative experiences are also an opportunity for us to manifest the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Light shines brighter in darkness. So, the fruit of the Spirit is most visible as God works through us in dark, troublesome times.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: …. Galatians 5:22-23

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

July 1 ^st through August 12 ^th

Every Wednesday 6:30 – 8:00 pm

3 years old thru entering 6 ^th grade

JUMP IN WITH US FOR Games, Crafts, Music and Bible Lessons.

AWANA STARTS AUGUST 19

Wednesdays at 6:30 PM

Ladies’ Fellowship and Bible Study

What to wear to the war; a study in Christian armor.

Thursday from 9:30 to 11:00 AM

All ladies are welcome including visitors

THE NEXT STEP

RU Meets Fridays at 7 PM / Sundays at 9:30 AM

Take your Christian Life to the Next Level.

Study through the Fruit of the Spirit.
Find fellowship with other growing believers.
Strengthen and revive your walk with God.
Develop a personal, dynamic love relationship with Christ.

FOOD BANK

After each service, we make available to families in need one bag of non-perishable groceries (limited to one bag per month). To help us keep our pantry stocked we welcome you to bring in non-perishable items. Please bring your items to the front foyer and let an usher know. Richard and Judy Sabin oversee this ministry.