Despairing, in a biblical context, refers to a state of hopelessness or a profound sense of loss and discouragement. It is a condition that can affect individuals when they face overwhelming trials, suffering, or a perceived absence of God's presence. The Bible addresses despairing through various narratives, teachings, and exhortations, offering both examples of despair and divine remedies for overcoming it.

Biblical Examples of Despair:

1. Job's Suffering: The Book of Job provides a profound exploration of despair. Job, a righteous man, experiences immense suffering, losing his wealth, health, and family. In his anguish, Job laments, "Why did I not perish at birth; why did I not die as I came from the womb?" (Job 3:11). Despite his despair, Job ultimately maintains his faith in God, declaring, "Though He slay me, I will hope in Him" (Job 13:15).

2. David's Lament: King David, a man after God's own heart, often expressed feelings of despair in the Psalms. In Psalm 42:5, he writes, "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him for the salvation of His presence" . David's psalms frequently transition from despair to hope, reflecting a reliance on God's faithfulness.

3. Elijah's Despondency: The prophet Elijah, after a great victory over the prophets of Baal, falls into despair when threatened by Queen Jezebel. He flees into the wilderness and prays, "It is enough, O LORD. Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers" (1 Kings 19:4). God responds by providing Elijah with rest, sustenance, and a renewed mission, demonstrating His care and purpose even in times of despair.

Teachings on Overcoming Despair:

1. Trust in God's Promises: Scripture encourages believers to trust in God's promises as an antidote to despair. Romans 15:13 states, "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" . This verse highlights the transformative power of faith and the Holy Spirit in overcoming despair.

2. Prayer and Supplication: Philippians 4:6-7 advises, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" . Prayer is presented as a means to combat despair, bringing peace and divine assurance.

3. Community and Encouragement: The New Testament emphasizes the role of the Christian community in supporting those who are despairing. Hebrews 10:24-25 urges believers to "consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another" . Fellowship and mutual encouragement are vital in lifting one another out of despair.

Divine Assurance:

The Bible assures believers that God is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18). Jesus Himself offers comfort, saying, "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). These assurances underscore the biblical truth that God is a refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1).

In summary, while despairing is a common human experience, the Bible provides numerous examples, teachings, and divine assurances to guide believers through such times, emphasizing faith, prayer, community, and the steadfast love of God as sources of hope and restoration.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Despair.

2. (a.) Feeling or expressing despair; hopeless.

1820. exaporeo -- to be utterly at a loss, be in despair
... Word Origin from ek and aporeo Definition to be utterly at a loss, be in despair
NASB Word Usage despaired (1), despairing (1). despair. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1820.htm - 8k4523. mas -- despairing
... 4522, 4523. mas. 4524 . despairing. Transliteration: mas Phonetic Spelling:
(mawce) Short Definition: man. Word Origin from masas ...
/hebrew/4523.htm - 6k

The Dry Bones and the Spirit of Life
... This great vision apparently took its form from a despairing saying, which had become
a proverb among the exiles, 'Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the dry bones and the.htm

Weak Hands and Feeble Knees
... Far be it from the man of courageous disposition, of stern resolve, and of unbending
purpose, to be hard towards those who are timid and despairing. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/weak hands and feeble knees.htm

Psalm LXXI.
... all long-suffering, for the imitation of those that shall believe in Him unto life
eternal: that is, every sinner and unjust man, already despairing of himself ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxi.htm

Letter xiii. --The Fear of Reprobation.
... These are, in some souls, so violent and painful that they produce what
Bossuet calls despairing love"or the despair of love. ...
/.../abandonment to divine providence/letter xiii the fear of reprobation.htm

The Leper
... Repulsive, and until now despairing, only tolerated among men through the completeness
of his plague, this man pushes through the crowd which shrinks from him ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 1 40-45 the leper.htm

The Gospel Cordial
... There are many persons who are doubting and despairing, spiritually "ready to perish,"
and there is in the Word of God a rich store of comforting truths which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the gospel cordial.htm

Job's Question, Jesus' Answer
... Weary centuries rolled away; but at last the doubting, almost despairing, cry put
into the mouth of the man of sorrows of the Old Testament is answered by the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/jobs question jesus answer.htm

The Last Two Verses of Chapterviii. ...
... Black like unto the outer darkness is the storm-cloud we are looking at, and the
wild, despairing, yet sad counsel, to "live merrily" is in strict harmony with ...
/.../jennings/old groans and new songs/chapter ix the last two.htm

The Believing Thief
... Lest any here should be despairing, and say, "He will never deign to look on me,"
I want you to notice that the last companion of Christ on earth was a sinner ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 35 1889/the believing thief.htm

Colossians i. 9
... Whatever good is to be done amongst us on a large scale, it must be done only in
this way, the many half despairing prayer may be, "Lord, I believe; help thou ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnold/the christian life/lecture v colossians i 9.htm

Despairing (7 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Despair. 2. (a.) Feeling or expressing despair; hopeless.
Multi-Version Concordance Despairing (7 Occurrences). ...
/d/despairing.htm - 8k

Nothing (769 Occurrences)
... let nothing be lacking," for "nothing doubting" (Acts 11:12), "making no distinction";
for "hoping for nothing again" (Luke 5:35), "never despairing"; for "are ...
/n/nothing.htm - 40k

Groan (32 Occurrences)
... (4) Metaphorically groaning is the despairing note of Egypt in the prophecy of her
overthrow by Babylon, the sound being that uttered by a deadly wounded man ...
/g/groan.htm - 21k

Despaired (3 Occurrences)

/d/despaired.htm - 7k

Despatch (1 Occurrence)

/d/despatch.htm - 6k

Megiddon (1 Occurrence)
... "The mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon" became a poetical expression
for the deepest and most despairing grief (Zechariah 12:11). ...
/m/megiddon.htm - 10k

Megiddo (13 Occurrences)
... "The mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon" became a poetical expression
for the deepest and most despairing grief (Zechariah 12:11). ...
/m/megiddo.htm - 16k

Hagar (15 Occurrences)
... 1. The Scornful Handmaid and Her Flight: In the first narrative (Genesis 16) it
is related that Sarai, despairing at her age of having children, gave Hagar to ...
/h/hagar.htm - 22k

Samaria (123 Occurrences)
... Their deserted camp was discovered by despairing lepers who carried the good
news to the famished citizens of the plenty to be found there. ...
/s/samaria.htm - 63k

Escaped (94 Occurrences)
... one day by the hand of Saul; there is nothing for me better than that I diligently
escape unto the land of the Philistines, and Saul hath been despairing of me ...
/e/escaped.htm - 37k

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Despairing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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