Both men were dealing with despair but overcame it rather than succumb to it.
Franklin D. Roosevelt was President of the United States during the worst economic time the country had ever experienced. Through the programs he spearheaded, the country eventually recovered. His large memorial in Washington, DC, depicts some of the incidents associated with his presidency. In one area, a man sits beside the radio waiting to hear what became known as “Fireside Chats.” In another, several men line up in front of a building, representing the thousands who stood in “bread lines” waiting for government help. And in still another, a caped Roosevelt sits in his wheelchair, reminding us that his handicap didn’t deter him from carrying out his presidential obligations.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial is another testimony of one who didn’t give in to despair. His statue is attached to a large piece of stone that has emerged from a mountain, splitting the mountain in half. Despair for him could have easily come from dealing with the thousands who weren’t interested in giving blacks or other minority groups their equal rights.
Unlike Roosevelt and King, Elijah let despair overtake him (1 Kings 19:9 NLT). After a major defeat over pagan prophets, he had a death sentence placed on his head by the wicked queen. With despair engulfing him, Elijah ran for his life until he finally took refuge in a cave. Then God asked him what he was doing there.
Despair is never a God-originated emotional state. If we’re feeling despair, Satan is capitalizing on an unpleasant situation or relationship we’re experiencing. His goal is to make us doubt God’s goodness or ability to help us face our circumstances.
While God doesn’t always remove situations that could lead to despair, He doesn’t expect us to give in to it either. If we respond with trust and obedience, He’ll teach us valuable lessons through the experience and also protect us from the damaging effects despair can have.
Until God prodded him, Elijah had given up. Despair will lead us to the same place unless we trust God to show us how to use the lessons. When we do, they will propel us beyond the potentially despairing circumstances.
Rather than letting despair debilitate you, let God show you the way around and through it.
Martin Wiles lives in Greenwood, SC, and is the founder of the internationally recognized website, Love Lines from God. He is a freelance editor, English teacher, pastor, and author. He serves as Managing Editor for both Christian Devotions and Vinewords.net and is an instructor for the Christian PEN (professional editors’ network). Wiles is a multi-published author. His most recent book, Hurt, Hope and Healing: 52 Devotions That Will Lead to Spiritual Health, is available on Amazon. He and his wife are parents of two and grandparents of seven. He can be contacted at [email protected].