What steps can we take to trust God during our own moments of despair? Mark 15:34—Jesus Knows Despair “And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?’—which means, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’ ” Why This Moment Matters • The sinless Son of God experiences felt abandonment, yet continues to address the Father as “My God.” • His cry fulfills Psalm 22:1 word for word, proving both His identification with us and the reliability of Scripture. • Because He entered our deepest darkness, no agony we face is beyond His understanding (Hebrews 4:15). Step 1: Voice Your Pain Honestly • Jesus did not mask His anguish; He verbalized it. • Imitate Him—pour out every fear, sorrow, or confusion (Psalm 62:8). • Honest lament is not unbelief; it is faith expressing itself in raw transparency. Step 2: Anchor in God’s Character, Not Circumstances • Even while feeling forsaken, Jesus clung to “My God.” • Circumstances shift; God’s nature does not (Malachi 3:6). • Remind yourself aloud of His attributes: faithful (Lamentations 3:22-23), sovereign (Isaiah 46:9-10), loving (1 John 4:8). Step 3: Remember Christ Identifies With You • The cross shows God is not distant; He entered suffering personally. • Isaiah 53:4-5 declares He carried our sorrows. • Knowing He has been there frees us to trust Him with our “there.” Step 4: Recall Past Deliverances • Psalm 77:11—“I will remember the works of the LORD.” • Keep a record of answered prayers and previous rescues; review it when despair whispers that nothing will change. • Yesterday’s faithfulness fuels today’s trust. Step 5: Immerse Your Mind in Scripture • Jesus’ cry quotes Scripture; let Scripture shape your own cries. • Read aloud passages of hope: Romans 8:31-39; Psalm 42; John 11:25-26. • Replace swirling thoughts with God’s unchanging words. Step 6: Stay Connected to the Body of Christ • Even on the cross, Jesus’ words were heard by onlookers—suffering was not solitary. • Seek fellowship, worship gatherings, and Christian counsel (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Shared burdens become lighter (Galatians 6:2). Step 7: Worship as an Act of Defiant Trust • Psalm 22 moves from “Why have You forsaken me?” (v.1) to “You who fear the LORD, praise Him!” (v.23). • Singing truth when feelings object declares that God is worthy regardless of mood. • Worship shifts focus from problem to Provider. Step 8: Fix Your Eyes on the Resurrection Hope • Mark’s account does not end at 15:34; resurrection follows (Mark 16:6). • Our story will not end in darkness either (2 Corinthians 4:14). • Despair is temporary; life with Christ is eternal glory (1 Peter 5:10). Putting It All Together When despair strikes, follow Jesus’ pattern: speak honestly, cling to God’s character, remember Christ’s solidarity, recall past mercies, saturate in Scripture, stay in community, worship intentionally, and look ahead to resurrection. Trust grows when we choose these steps, confident that the God who did not abandon His Son will never abandon those who belong to Him (Hebrews 13:5). |
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