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by Joanna If you have ever been in an extended season of disappointment or waiting, it can be hard or even scary to hope for good things. If you have never had good things come, it can be hard to hope. I think Satan attacks us in our "hope" more than we realize. The enemy likes to create a sense of hopelessness. He creates a feeling that life will not change, improve, or get to a better place. He goes after our faith, attacking our belief in who God is and what He has declared for our lives. We do not realize when we are in a depressed/oppressed state of mind, feeling like there is nothing to hope for, we are exactly where Satan wants us. This deep sense of despair prevents us from praying, holding on to promises, and making declarations over our life. When we are in a pit, we need a connection with people. Instead of isolating ourselves, we need to connect with those who will pray with us as we renew our strength. Additionally, there are seasons where we are at the bottom, and the ones around us fight forward in prayer, and there are times where the roles are reversed. Depending on the depth of the pit we are in, our hopelessness will also have different depths. We need to remember that it is important not to yell at someone at the bottom of a deep pit, telling them to come out without reaching a hand out to pull them up. They need help. Action. It is also important when we are at the bottom of a pit to find those who can safely come alongside us. We don't need to hear from people who will simply throw verses at us or condemn us, and we need to remember that truth as we pray with people. I encourage you to allow yourself to hope again and allow others to pray for the things on your behalf. I encourage you to pray for those who might be stuck. May we join together through the different battles and speak life over the dark places until hope is restored and faith rises. If you are in a dark season, I encourage you to allow hope and joyful anticipation to begin to rise from within. May the darkness not silence your prayers but allow your tears to water the ground for the growth that is ahead. “And the Lord will continually guide you, And satisfy your desire in scorched places, And give strength to your bones; And you will be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.” Isaiah 58:11
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