Lamented Victory

I sit here trying to understand what God has been up to. I almost shut this blog down because of the ridicule I received; however, I am refusing to feed into my fears. I will move forward. Nevertheless, my discouragement remains. I am continually reminded that we are, in fact, in the last days. Yes, I realize this means our Help is coming, but I also understand that it means that many will be left behind. For some reason, I am grieving like never before over the state of mankind. I grieve over the ignorance, the foolishness, and the complete disregard for Christ. Thus, I found myself in another moment of deep discouragement. (Note: discouragement is not synonymous with depression). Depression expresses feelings of sadness, while discouragement expresses feelings of despair. To despair, is to "abandon hope." This is where I have been. I will admit, it has been extremely unpleasant and exceptionally heartbreaking, and tonight I found myself sitting in the midst of despair over our relationship with Christ. My wonderful Sunday School teacher, Angela Tackett, taught a lesson on "Dare to Hope." While I was praying and trying to find a way to encourage myself, I remembered this lesson. I found myself frantically flipping through the pages of Lamentations so I could find that verse. In true God-like fashion, I was not able to find it. So what did I do? I had to read it. Starting with verse one. If you've ever taken a historical survey of the Old Testament, then you are familair with the despair dealt within this book. Let me show you a few verses that stuck out: 1:14- "For these things I weep; my eyes flow with tears; for a comforter is far from me, one to revive my spirit; my children are desolate, for the enemy has prevailed." 2:13- "For your ruin [Jerusalem] is vast as the sea; who can heal you?" 2:14-"Your prophets have seen for you false and deceptive visions; they have not exposed your iniquity to restore your fortunes, but have seen for you oracles that are false and misleading." 3:14-"I have become the laughingstock of all peoples, the object of their taunts all day long." Finally, 3:21- BUT THIS I CALL TO MIND, AND THEREFORE I HAVE HOPE: THE STEADFAST LOVE OF THE LORD NEVER CEASES." Now, I am Pentecostal and let me tell you, if I was a shouter, I would have danced all around my room. If you've never read Lamentations, let me encourage you to do so. First, because sometimes you need someone to cry with. I love that about this book. If you're like me, you get caught up in the storyline, you feel the author's pain, and THEN he dares to hope, because he remembers God's neverfailing love. I have become the laughingstock. At this moment, two very painful instances come to mind. Moments that I will never forget and that will always affect the way I now do things. If you wish to laugh, go ahead. I am finally okay with that, because I dare to hope. Thus, I come to you with a slight lament. I'm grieving and I'm healing. But most importantly, I am finally hoping. To me, this is victory. Peace & Blessings.