Are you in a valley of despair? You need to know: you have a choice. You can choose to remain in despair. Or you can choose to take action and defeat despair. Let me show you how.

Here is the entire Scripture passage:

I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” (Psalm 27:13 _NASB)

Start with these three thoughts:

1) This is very likely true:

The devil is tormenting you! He’s the source of the struggles that have you in a well of despair

…Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

The devil DOES NOT want you to know how to defeat despair. He wants to increase your despair in order to defeat you!

Read the Bible’s example of the legalistic nature of Satan as he slinks into the courts of Heaven like a sleazy lawyer and gains permission to torment Job. It’s in chapters 1 and 2 of the book of Job.

Job 1:6-22

Satan Allowed to Test Job

⁶ Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. ⁷ The Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” ⁸ And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” ⁹ Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? ¹⁰ Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. ¹¹ But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” ¹¹ And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

Satan Takes Jobs Property and Children

¹³ Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brothers house, ¹⁴ and there came a messenger to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, ¹⁵ and the Sabeans fell upon them and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” ¹⁶ While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” ¹⁷ While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “The Chaldeans formed three groups and made a raid on the camels and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” ¹⁸ While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brothers house, ¹⁹ and behold, a great wind came across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

²⁰ Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. ²¹ And he said, “Naked I came from my mothers womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

²² In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.

The Testing Of Jobs Faith Continues In Chapter 2:

Job 2:1-10

Satan Attacks Jobs Health

¹ Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the Lord. ² And the Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” ³ And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason.” ⁴ Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life. ⁵ But stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face.” ⁶ And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life.”

⁷ So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. ⁸ And he took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself while he sat in the ashes.

⁹ Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.” ¹⁰ But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

So we know that the devil has you on the radar screen of hell. But…

2) Good News!

No matter where you are, God is with you RIGHT NOW! He will help you to defeat despair. HE WILL!

…for He has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you… (Isaiah 43:2)

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is refuge for us. (Psalm 62:8)

Now that you know that God is always with you, here’s how you can start getting His help and His comfort RIGHT NOW!

Click/Tap Here to view and download a PDF file with 4 Scriptures based on the verses quoted above.

Here’s what they look like:

Here is what I urge you to do with these cards.

If you are not able to print them right now, just read them on your computer screen. I urge you to read them out loud, right now! Read them several times. Let your spirit connect with the God of all creation. Thank Him and praise Him for the wisdom He has given you. Keep doing this, even if you don’t feel anything but despair right now. Keep proclaiming the Truth of God’s Word into the room where you are. He will help, but you have a speaking part in the drama you are in. He’s given you your lines to speak. Say to Him, “Heavenly Father, thank you in advance for the help that I know You will pour out over me. I praise You! Thank You for Your Word!”

3) Really Good News!

God is longing to help you. Take a look at this verse:

Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you… (Isaiah 30:18a)

God wants to help you, but this could be the problem:

God cannot make a world in which we are free to choose — yet at the same time guaranteeing that we will always choose Him.

Before He can act on our behalf, He needs our permission. So until we believe in Him and ask Him, we’re on our own.

• If some desirable benefit is in the Bible, it’s possible for me to have it.
• If it’s possible, I want it!
• If I want it, how do I get it?

What was it Jesus said?

If you remain in My Word, …you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free. (John 8:32)

PRAYER: “Heavenly Father, I am filled with praise, joy, thanksgiving, reassurance, expectation, hope, and great confidence as I rest in the knowledge that You are in control of my life. I see Your goodness: ”˜And now, O Lord GOD, You are God, and Your words are true, and You have promised this goodness to Your servant.” (2 Samuel 7:28) You guide me: ”˜Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

Now you have everything you need in order to defeat despair. Will you use it?

- Jan