Despondency

“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God” Psalms 43:5, Berean Study Bible.

Despondency is a state of low spirits caused by a loss of hope or courage. Websters 1828 dictionary defines it as a sinking or dejection of spirits at the loss of hope; loss of courage at the failure of hope, or in deep affliction at the prospect of insurmountable difficulties. I remember feeling despondent before the first DOTK Tour event in Texas. I felt like the assignment was bigger than me, and my fear turned into despondency. In the middle of the night, a loved one who didn’t know what I was going through sent me a video that someone had created of me preaching. They had added music to it, a title sequence that came in with special effects. I turned on the video, and there I was talking about how God has invested so much into us and how He will teach us how to live. I watched that empowered woman speak life into my disempowered and depressed state and I jumped out the bed and went to be alone with the Lord. I poured out my heart and told Him everything, and by the time I was done emptying out and praising God, I was encouraged, fired up, and ready to do what God had called me to do!

My sister, if you feel afraid and that fear is turning into despondency because the obstacle seems too big and the assignment feels too great, hear me when I say, that may be how you feel, but that’s not who you are! You are so loved and sought after by God. You are made new in Christ, and you have received His new Spirit. Faithful is He who has called you; He will do it (see 1 Thessalonians 5:24). In Christ, you are taller than the mountain you face. In Him, you are stronger than your fear. God is helping you shake that off and rise up from that place. He is helping you be who He created you to be!

Prayer: Yes, Father, I hear you. Thank you for meeting me right where I am. I feel afraid and despondent, and I shake it off now. I rebuke the enemy now in Jesus’ name. I receive who you say I am. I receive what you say I have. Help me believe that I can do what you say I can do by your spirit and power. You have invested so much into me. Teach me how to live and walk this out. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

21 thoughts on “Despondency”

  1. Thank you for your message. I’ve went back to college after a TWENTY year break and feel overwhelmed. I pray for God to help me ,to touch my mind and help me to stay focused and to finish STRONG .

    1. Congratulations! On a much tinier scale I am starting a food prep (catering assistant) course six hours per week. Having been extremely mentally ill several years, often in bed sleeping up to 36 hours at a stretch. New meds thankfully got me taking lil steps to gradually get back into regular life despite paranoia etc.

      So you are being brave And you can do it!

      I last worked in a kitchen 20 years ago but it was my fave job.

      It’s never too late to go after your dreams.

  2. I am fighting despondency now. Have always been one to look at the bright side, but it’s becoming harder and harder. I will keep your devotion close to my heart and allow the good Lord to take this burden from me.

    1. I feel you as I’ve been there. Going thru hell. Keep praying and brainstorm solutions and reach out for comfort and support from people. Try to stop ruminating by make effort to go for walk in fresh air or watch comedy movie. Bad times do not last forever. God only makes us go thru wat we can bear. But when it feels too much you can cry out to Him and ask seek and knock for Him to reduce suffering and help you. Amplified bible says we must persistently repeatedly ask seek and knock. Also ask that if anything is blocking ur prayers being answered, then ask Him to show u wat to change eg. A haughty spirit (ofc u probably don’t have this, just an example. It’s written that occasionally God don’t answer prayer for reasons like this but usually we just have to keep demanding (reverently) that as a child of God it don’t glorify Him if u suffering etc etc. Cry out and wrestle with Him, tell Him wat u feel and need. ❤️🙏

  3. Good Morning Sister Kesha!! When we talk about God being an on time God, He really is on time.. Through these devotionals each day have been a lift to me and what I was needing. I’m so learning how to live and walk this journey out with Him. May The Lord be our Defence, Shield, Lifter of our heads and Lover of our souls. In Jesus Name. Amen. 🙏
    🙌🙌🙌❤

  4. Wow it’s Amazing how God knows me this exactly how I’ve been feeling the last couple of days, overwhelmed with my daughter Health, financial situation, me personally feeling ugly letting myself go, I’ve put on what they call menopause weight, feel like I’m fighting a losing battle, I’m depressed. Thank you for your faithfulness

    1. I pray you seek and find help and support from people and healthcare/solutions such as (I’m guessing) vitamins or HRT etc. Menopause is no joke. I pray that you can research solutions and God will make ways and supportive people and helpful things. Keep praying tell Him repeatedly what you want.

    2. You are NEVER ugly you are a beautiful perfect child of God called by Him He chose you and loves you. I pray for you and your daughter ❤️🙏

  5. A very timely message. At a crossroad, seeking God for next moves as I learn to use my voice, stand firm and live authentically.

  6. Very timely message that ministered to my spirit as I wrestle with decision-making…

    God is ever present🙏🏽🙏🏽

    Thank you for being a vessel of light 🌞

    Continual blessings my sister🙏🏽🌻

  7. Despondency is hard to shake. As I continue to fight the good fight of faith. Sometimes just worshipping helps and just remember to channel my thoughts into the positive. I often just count my blessings one by one. This devotional is timely. Thanks. Blessings, Shalom and Agape.🙏❤🙏❤🙏

  8. Kesha, you are a blessing. I share your devotions every day to lots of WOG and I know they love it. God get the glory and I pray he continue using you. Love you my sister

  9. Thank you thank you my sister God bless you this this devotion right here I needed to hear is Father God continue to teach me lay out what I need as I continue to walk and be obedient to your words and your truth glorifying God hallelujah teach me Oh God in the name of God Amen ❤🙌🏾

  10. Your message reminds me that validation (a kind word, a supportive friend, or a strangers thoughtfulness) can change lives. You were despondent and that person’s video lifted your sprits. I pray I can be nicer to people. Often I get angry and also I have critical judgemental thoughts. I get in beefs with eg. Security guards. I pray I can be nice but Not a doormat. This is my problem. Either get used and walked over like doormat (turn the other cheek) or lose it and lash out. By the way I heard that apparently turn the other cheek doesn’t refer to being hit violently, it referred to a mild insult? I think it’s important we learn about the cultural context of things like this because it can lead to completely bad misunderstandings. My two cents a lil off topic sorry.

  11. I battle with fear daily and despair I was praying tonight with husband about asking the Lord to grant me a true heart of repentance of many things in my life gossip anger u forgiveness being consistent diligence in my walk. Obeying Him I find myself in habitual sins very frustrating for me. Saying to a lady in church who visited today where am I in my walk with the Lord does He hear my heart my prayers I agree with Him about my sins fearing judgement against me I battle borderline personality disorder and OCD and anxiety I don’t want to use my illnesses as a crutch I get mad at convicting devotional readings I wish I could suck it up say ok God I won’t run I won’t harden myself to you I’m lukewarm I hate it I doubt alot if I’m hearing from God yes facing truth is hard to swallow but I do not want to be decieved and I shouldn’t take the Lord lightly. Man this is frustrating I want to be real and honest I read ur devotional daily to see if God has something to say to me one devotional u did by video enough is enough man that was convicting I was guilty of alot u said on there. I have cried out to God said please help me want to change why isn’t it happening I wish I could get out of His way. surrender whole heartly my pastor said God showed him God will be faithful and I will be faithful too I truly want to believe that and not be like the 5 unwise virgins to be honest I hate myself I would rather be someone else than Johanna thank you to those who responded on her other devotional about the 4 trees anyways thanks for reading this and praying for me.

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