Down in a Well of Despair

So Joseph went after his brothers and found them near Dothan.  But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him.  "Here comes that dreamer!" they said to each other.  "Come now, let's kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we'll see what comes of his dreams." -Genesis 37:17-20

Have you even been down in a well of despair?  If you never have been in such a terrible frame of mind, then count yourself extremely fortunate.  However, most of us know what this is like, for we have been there at one time or another.  We know from experience that heartache, sorrow, and hopelessness are most unpleasant and can leave us drained and discouraged.  To be in the depths of despair is to be filled with all sorts of terrible feelings and forebodings.  Falling down into those depths can be brought on by any number of factors.  The problem may be physiological – some sort of chemical imbalance that causes depression.  It can be emotional, caused my some trauma such as sickness, or the death of a spouse or a loved one.  Or it can come about from circumstances that just seem to overwhelming to handle.    

Whatever the causes, we must realize that none of us are immune to despair.  The trials of life can sometimes push us down into those depths.  When this happens it sometimes causes us to do some questioning.  We begin to ask God why He has allowed something bad to happen in our lives.  We might find ourselves questioning God, His will, and His plan for us.  We might even get angry with God and lash out at Him and those around us.  If we ever find ourselves down in the depths of despair there is only one proper response; cling to the solid rock that will not move.  This rock is Jesus Christ, and in Him we find hope, healing, help, and the assurance that He is still there with us. 

Joseph had to trust God in the midst of some trying and painful circumstances.  He couldn’t see it at the time, but God was guiding and directing him all along.  Even when the situation looked hopeless and he was in a literal well of despair, the Lord was there to comfort and send help.  Because Joseph did not give up, nor did he abandon his faith in God, the Lord blessed him and placed him where he was supposed to be. 

Only you and the Lord know what you are facing right now.  Perhaps you feel that like Joseph you have been thrown down into a dark and terrible place.  Do not give up, and do not abandon your faith.  The Lord Jesus knows, cares, understands, and will see you through this trial. 

Trust in the Lord, for He will lift you up and onto solid ground.