The moment we have feelings of despair, we need to make our next thought one of gratitude. It will take our eyes off ourselves, others, or circumstances onto the Lord. Here is the last verse of the new song Rejoicing Bones. 

“In You I can rejoice. For You are my strength. I look away from sin to the spotless Lamb. All my sins are cleansed in Your precious blood. My heart sings through a rush of love. Yes my heart is filled with joy in You that nothing can destroy. I rejoice in You my eternal strength. My joy is full when I look to You.”

Dismayed is despair’s cousin. It is anxiety from feeling desolate ~ dismal emptiness. Isaiah 41:10 helps us recognize afresh that the Lord is with us ~ always. Hebrews 13:5 says, “…I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Amy Carmichael, former missionary in India, said, “You are closer to me than air.” He dwells within us!

Ephesians 6:11 says that His armor will enable us to stand against ~ resist the wily deceptive, defeating, and undermining schemes of the devil!