I FEEL like I can’t resist hopelessness.
Hi, Timothy.
As Christians, part of our spiritual armor is "the helmet of salvation" (Eph. 6:17) or, more specifically, "an helmet, the hope of salvation " (I Thess. 5:8).
A helmet is designed to protect one's head, or, in our cases as Christians, to protect our minds.
This life can be very trying at times, and our "hope of salvation", as in that which awaits us at Christ's second coming, must sustain us during such trials.
The Apostle Peter put it this way:
I Peter chapter 1
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3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his abundant mercy
has begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
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4] To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in heaven for you,
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5]
Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
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6] Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
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7] That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
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8] Whom having not seen, you love; in whom, though now yousee him not, yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
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9] Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
As a Christian, you've been "begotten again" or born again "unto a lively" or living "hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead".
There is an eternal inheritance which awaits you, but we sometimes need to endure manifold temptations or many fiery trials before we receive our eternal rewards, and we must rely on "the power of God through faith" coupled with this "lively hope" in order to make it through.
Again, it is our "helmet of salvation" or what we could rightly call "our helmet of hope" which must preserve our minds during such times or else we can easily faint in our minds and become overwhelmed with a feeling or sense of hopelessness.
The Bible tells us that, during his incarnation, Jesus "was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" (Heb. 4:15).
It also tells us that "in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to succor" or to help "them that are tempted" (Heb. 2:18).
IN FACT, what sustained Jesus throughout his own fiery trials was his own "helmet of salvation".
In relation to the same, we read:
Isaiah chapter 59
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15] Yea, truth fails; and he that departs from evil makes himself a prey: and the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment.
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16] And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.
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17] For he put on righteousness as a breastplate,
and a helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak.|
What we just read was prophetically written about Jesus Christ. in his incarnation, he needed the SAME EXACT breastplate of righteousness that we need (Eph. 6:14) to protect his heart and the SAME EXACT helmet of salvation upon his head that we need (Eph. 6:17) to protect his mind.
I trust that there are many of us here who can empathize with what you're presently going through because we've gone through similar fiery trials ourselves and made it out to the other side.
More importantly, however, Jesus Christ can AND DOES empathize with you because he's gone through similar fiery trials and made it out to the other side himself.
Timothy, we have a "high priest" who is not only "touched with the feeling of our infirmities" (Heb. 4:15) or weaknesses, but who also "ever lives to make intercession for" us (Heb. 7:25).
You've asked for prayer, and many of us will be praying for you, but know that Christ himself is praying for you as well...even as he prayed for Peter's faith not to fail him when Satan sought to sift him like wheat (Luke 22:31-32).
You're NOT alone in your struggle, Timothy.
Again, you've not only got brothers and sisters here who care about you, but you've also got the very King of kings and Lord of lords interceding before the Father on your behalf.
I hope that what I've written here brings some comfort to your soul.
You're in my prayers.