A moment of dejection

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The purpose of prayer is that we get ahold of God, not of the answer. It is impossible to be well physically and to be dejected, because dejection is a sign of sickness. This is also true spiritually. Dejection spiritually is wrong, and we are always to blame for it. Oswald Chambers

Some days are just like that though.  We feel dejected uninspired and wondering “What is the point?”  Those days for me, I am of not much use to anyone.  If I try to confide in others, I risk the possibility of bringing them to where I am.  And, “Though misery loves company.” as they say.  I don’t feel it is a very kind friend that dumps on another the very dejection that we are trying to get out of.   Where do we go then?

I feel I have a few choices.

I can go to someone who can be detached from me personally, who is strong at the moment in their own spirituality and can be my encourager with facts, not feelings.  This is a rare friend and often hard to find.

I can look outside myself for some small contribution I can make to another person to encourage them and make their day brighter.  This, in turn, will lift my spirits.

Or I can go deep.  Deep into the place where that dejection first started.  What was I looking for in the first place?   Was it egocentric?   Was I open to the possibilities of the looking for one thing and finding something else?  Can I stop for a moment open my heart and see the Grace that was very likely hidden right there? Can I just be in the moment, waiting?

The moment we go deep, we are in prayer.  This is where we are speaking of our dejection out loud, and we are waiting for an answer.  This is the moment hope begins.  We are no longer dejected we are waiting in hope for a word from the inner voice of our God.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
    and in his word I hope;
my soul waits for the Lord
    more than those who watch for the morning,
    more than those who watch for the morning.  Psalm 130:4-6  (NRSV)

5 thoughts on “A moment of dejection

  1. Peg

    The book “Surrender to Love” says, “Relying on the will to make things happen, keeps us focused on the self and leads us to a posture of willfulness rather than willingness “.

    “Relying on the will to make things happen……
    I’m trying to take control or trying to control a situation – to make something happen so I can stop agonizing over it. This is a process, not something that can be fixed overnight.

    Keeps us focused on the self and……
    I’m so wrapped up in the process, the worry, the outcome.

    Leads us to a posture of willfulness rather than willingness.”
    Let God be in control. There is more to be learned in letting God be in control.

    The book “Breathing Underwater” by Richard Rohr says in chapter 8 – “God will show you the best way, the best place the best time, and the best words. Wait and pray for them all.”

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    1. Alana Cruse

      I think this is beautifully said. Thank you for sharing! I believe when we are willing more than willfull, we will be less dejected. I find I am often dejected when I am not willing to wait for God’s time, place, and word. Usually, because I am feeling discomfort ​and I want to make that go away more than I want to let it do the work in me that needs to be done. Peace

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