Troughs of Faith

This is Saturday, the forgotten day between Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday. I just read an excellent article ( http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2015/april-web-only/sitting-waiting-hoping-tomb-jesus-holy-saturday.html?start=1) about how we tend to gloss over Saturday, but imagine how the disciples felt on Saturday. They didn't have the benefit we do of knowing Jesus would rise on Sunday. All they had was wavering faith...and despair. Friday for them, watching Jesus die on the cross, was a rough day. Despondency must have settled thicker than spring pollen on all of them when Saturday rolled around and Jesus was still dead. Surely Jesus knew how deep their despair would be, how shaken their faith. Yes, they had been warned He would rise again, but such a thing had never been done,  and all of them were distraught. He could have helped them avoid the despair...but He didn't. Thus, there must have been a purpose in the despair.

I loved one line in particular from the Christianity Today article: A legitimate stage of holiness is hopelessness.

I don't know about you, but I have been there. Often. It is hard not to feel hopelessness when all tangible signs around you point to defeat and darkness. You may know in your head God is there, but in your heart, you are not feeling it! Even though God has come through time and time again, when you are plodding through the valley of the shadow of death, it is hard to imagine life is still present somewhere. It is NOT fun to be in that place, but if it wasn't necessary, God would end it.

It was a beautiful day here in Charlotte on Friday. I have been terribly busy with the preparations for the Vegas book signing of The Tower Builder, the publication launch of Joe-The Horse Nobody Loved (that went to #4 on Amazon yesterday!) and the promo of another recent book, Poppy-The Dirty Ditch Digging Dingo (#1 today!)...all in the midst of the entire month spent in NY caring for my mom post-surgery. There has been little opportunity to relax.

But yesterday, on the beautiful day of Good Friday, I loaded my kayak into the car for the first time this season. It was not perfect kayaking conditions on the river. The wind was very strong, and it was hard to keep my hat on, not to mention paddling against the wind. The pollen was heavy in the air, as my itchy eyes turned red. As always, the first time out, my arms tired quickly, and my wrists ached. But it was still wonderful. I kayaked along the river, singing hymns, feeling hopeful. Unlike the disciples, I knew Jesus was resurrected on Sunday. It really was a Good Friday  and a day of rejoicing. But I think today, I will remember how Saturday was probably a day of hopelessness for Jesus' early followers. Perhaps that will help remind me to feel a little less lost when I experience the troughs of faith that inevitably come.
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Psalm 34:17-20 

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

1 Peter 5:7 

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Philippians 4:19 

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Romans 15:13 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.