Dear Caroline,

I don't know the mind of the Lord in any particular situation, but it is safe to assume that in any trial the Lord wants us to turn to Him for consolation and to make use of our trial as an offering for the redemption of the world.

Consider how Jesus prayed in the garden, "Father, if it be your will, let this cup pass from me, but not my will but yours." (Matthew 26:39) Jesus showed us how to approach even the most daunting trial before us, because in the end, there is glory and redemption. Sometimes, however, we must go through Calvary to get to the Resurrection.

Depression, despondency, and despair are attacks of the enemy, and tools which satan uses to defeat us. We must enter into spiritual warfare to overcome them in many cases. Consider both Peter and Judas, both betrayers of Jesus. Peter denied Him, which was a betrayal of his friendship with Jesus, and Judas literally sold Him out. Both showed regret for their actions.

• Only one succumbed to despair however, and that was Judas. He was so stuck in his sin that he couldn't come to approach Jesus for reconciliation. Hopelessness won.
• Peter, however, humbled himself and allowed Jesus to take him back into friendship.

There is always a choice even in the lowest moments of our lives: run to the Lord, or run away. When we choose for friendship with God the end is always better.

So the answer is that God can use even the darkest circumstances to teach us to rely on Him.

Peace,

Bob Kirby