For many believers, sinking to the bottom means the end. They become so overwhelmed by their failures that they develop a sense of unworthiness. Over time, they feel trapped beyond any help. Isaiah wrote of such believers, \u201cAfflicted city, lashed by storms and not comforted\u2026\u201d (Isaiah 54:11 NKJV).<\/i><\/p>\n
Some eventually get mad at God. They grow tired of waiting for him to move, so they cry accusingly, \u201cLord, where were you when I needed you? I cried out to you for deliverance, but you never answered. I\u2019ve done everything I know to do, yet I\u2019m still not free. I\u2019m tired of repenting and crying, without ever seeing any change!\u201d Many such believers simply give up trying and give themselves over to hopelessness.<\/p>\n
Others fall into a fog of spiritual apathy. They are convinced that God doesn\u2019t care about them anymore. They say, \u201cThat\u2019s it. I give up. I am invisible to God.\u201d Consumed by sadness and defeat, they tell themselves, \u201cMy way is hidden from the Lord, and my just claim is passed over by my God\u201d (Isaiah 40:27). <\/i>\u201cThe Lord has forsaken me, and my Lord has forgotten me\u201d (Isaiah 49:14).<\/i><\/p>\n
Still others end up focusing all their attention on the failure, trying to keep themselves in a constant state of conviction, guilt and hopelessness. Yet this only causes confusion! They cry, \u201cIf our transgressions and our sins lie upon us, and we pine away in them, how can we then live?\u201d (Ezekiel 33:10).<\/i><\/p>\n
The fact is, recognizing and feeling sorry for our sin is not an end in itself. We aren\u2019t supposed to rest in those feelings. They are meant to drive us to the end of ourselves, toward the victory of the cross. God does not want us to languish in defeat and despair. He is eager to lift us up! When we give our sorrow to Jesus, he has promised that he will hear our cries and bring us into a life of purpose, hope and joy in him.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you\u201d (Psalm 39:7).<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cThe Lord upholds all who fall, and raises up all who are bowed down\u201d (Psalm 145:14).<\/i><\/p>\n