Desperation is a frame of mind where you have lost all hope for the situation. Or… desperation is a state of mind or feeling where you have lost all hope, or find yourself in such a difficult, troubled situation that you are willing to take reckless risks to alleviate it.
So I haven’t been super religious lately, but I do believe in God, and that he is there, even if I feel like he doesn’t actually help the situations we face. But the Bible, which I believe is the written word of God. Defines desperation as not a failure, but a sacred turning point that strips away self- reliance. It invites total dependence on God. I don’t know if that’s what I’m going through, but it hits a nerve.
Dependence on God
Why is it so hard to depend on god? I’ll tell you why, because he only shows up mentally when we need him; physically, he is nowhere to be found. As long as we believe, then we are saved, but what about the many times I don’t believe because he doesn’t show up? I am so tired of trying to believe, only for life’s circumstances to get harder, and where is he? Oh, he is in heaven, watching it all go down.
God’s response to desperation
God draws near: Psalm 34: 18: promises that the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
He listens and delivers: Psalms 34:17 states that when the righteous cry out, the Lord hears them and delivers them from their troubles.
God provides strength and comfort: Isaiah 41: 10: tells the desperate not to fear, because God strengthens and helps and upholds them with his right hand.
He changes situations: Psalms 107, highlights how God answers when people reach the end of their own power and cry out to him in their distress.
Biblical examples of desperation
- David, who spent many years running for his life, wrote the Psalms. Crying out in caves and turning his terror into faith
- The bleeding woman: Overcame social shame and physical weakness to push through the crowd just to touch Jesus.
- Blind Bartimaeus who refused to be silenced when the crowd pummeled him to be quiet.
The Spiritual Purpose of Desperation
An invitation to surrender: Spiritual desperation transitions a person from self-sufficiency and complete reliance on self to complete reliance on God or Christ. John 15:5
An open door for grace: Rather than pushing God away, honest grief, fear, and emptiness create the exact posture where faith takes root. And God’s presence is experienced more deeply.
What does God say when life gets hard?
When Life gets hard, the bible shows that god does not promise a trouble-free life. But instead offers his personal presence, comfort, and strength.
Key promises and messages in Scripture
- I am with you: God promises you he has not left you alone in the storm. Isaiah 42:10: So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you and help you.
- I am close to the brokenhearted: God pays attention to your pain, sorrow, and tears. Psalm 34:18: The lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
- Come to me for rest: Jesus invites you to bring your troubles to him instead of carrying them alone. Matthew 11:28: Come to me, all of you who are weary and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest.
- My grace is enough for you: When you feel weak or powerless, God’s power works best in your weakness.
- This won’t last forever: hardships are described as temporary compared to an eternal hope and future healing.
The next step is prayer, but I’m not there yet; my prayers are mostly selfish lately, and I don’t currently know how to change it. Me and God are beefing right now. I feel like if he is here, I should be able to feel his presence when things are hard. But instead, he lets us struggle and feel alone. How is that a good God? Obviously, I am going through my own something right now!
What is something you’re struggling with right now? Let me know in the comments.
