I'm working on my sermon for Sunday, "Leaving Despair Behind." Following Jesus means that we're on a journey to be with Him forever in heaven. So we'll want to travel wisely and lightly, leaving unnecessary baggage behind. Since His resurrection and ascension offer us a great hope which in turn spins off little hopes for us in our daily struggles, we strive to journey in hope and leave behind despair, the opposite of hope.
Not easy! Time after time, temptations to despair will still come, but the Spirit of God can raise us heavenward with hope. Martin Schalling put it this way in his hymn, “Lord, Thee I Love with All My Heart.” "And should my heart for sorrow break . . ." Let me interrupt the quotation to say, my heart has broken and yours has too. Our hearts are sure to break again, as much as you and I don’t want that. "And should my heart for sorrow break, my trust in Thee can nothing shake. Thou art the portion I have sought; Thy precious blood my soul has bought. Lord Jesus Christ, my God and Lord, my God and Lord, forsake me not! I trust Thy Word!"
"Hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given us" (Romans 5:5). Leaving despair behind!