Hopes were dashed. Hearts were discouraged. Lives fell into despair. That was on Friday when the religious rulers turned into murderers. And a Chief Priest became a rogue Judge. And a governor failed to govern, but succumbed to political appeasement.
Despair was the mental, emotional and spiritual state of the apostles, disciples and Christ’s followers on the day He was crucified. Despair confused them. Crippled them. Scattered them.
Despair. Such a heavy word. It hangs over us like a thick fog. It envelops our souls. Blurs our vision. Dampens our spirits. Obscures our thinking. Clouds our focus. Darkens our future.
We all face Friday’s of despair. Sooner or later. It may come in the form of a terminal illness. An untimely death. A natural disaster. A financial collapse. A moral failure. A personal rejection. A bitter divorce. Or unrequited love. Whatever the circumstance triggering it, the despair is real. Painful. Crippling.
C. Neil Straight was right when he wrote, “Despair is part of our living.” We wish it were not so. But it is. However, Straight, advised, “The despair that besets us when frustration comes can be of two kinds: a despair that causes us to give up, or a despair that makes us go to the depths and draw from our best resources. One kind is futile, the other is fruitful.”
“Despair comes uninvited, but only remains where it is entertained. If it is nurtured through depressive thoughts and fed with pessimistic attitudes, it remains. But when the soul take flight to greater thoughts, despair flees. Hope, faith and a positive will starve despair.”
Ahh, but the disciples’ despair was short-lived. Sunday resurrected hope from hopelessness. Jesus, the giver of the abundant life, breathed new life in their fainting hearts and breathless souls. The empty tomb dispelled despair. Chased away doubt. Dissipated the fog. Cleared their vision. And renewed their strength.
You see, while their despair was real they did not give in. Give out. Or give up. Like Judas did. They hung on. Sunday dispersed their despairing thoughts and feelings.
I need to remember that no matter how bad my Friday of despair is, Sunday’s coming! Jesus is alive. There is life. Light. Love. And it is embodied in the God-man, Jesus.
No matter where you are today. No matter your circumstances. No matter your heaviness. No matter your hurt. Refuse to give in to Friday’s despair. Because Sunday’s coming!
–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
ThePreachersWord 
I SO LOVE YOUR FRIDAY COMMENTS – THEY MAKE ME LOOK FORWARD(EVEN MORE) TO SUNDAY. BILLIE
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Thank you, Billie! I appreciate your reading, commenting and encouraging me! Love to you and Cal
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Just one thought, ( I’ll try to make it short and sweet) :), There was a great earthquake when he died……..but also a great earthquake when he arose before dawn…….Sometimes earthquakes can herald destruction,,,,,,but sometimes they can herald the dawning of something glorious and wonderful! 🙂 This gives me great hope!
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Thanks Suzi! That could be fodder for another post!
Ken Weliever 400 NW Highcliffe Dr Lee’s Summit, MO 64081 Home Phone: 816-600-5001 Cell Phone: 813-507-1726 Church Office: 816-761-2659 preacherman@weliever.net web site: http://www.weliever.net blog: http://www.ThePreachersWord.com Church web site: http://hickmanchurch.com/
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Your blog, IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! From Despair to Hope, is a powerful and faith-filled reminder of the hope and redemption found in Christ. The way you weave the significance of Good Friday and the promise of resurrection into a message of encouragement is both inspiring and deeply moving. Your words resonate with faith, perseverance, and the assurance that even in our darkest moments, hope is never lost. This piece serves as a beacon of light for those seeking strength and renewal. Thank you for sharing such a meaningful and uplifting message!
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