4:255 – Existential Dread to Existential Hope

#faithbites #faithjourney existential

Setting

Over the summer, I asked my best friend how he was feeling. He told me he had a feeling of existential dread. I tried to emphasize, comfort, and be there for him. I hadn’t often felt that feeling, but this morning I did. It’s a feeling where there is no chance of a good outcome. Wikipedia says existential crises, also known as existential dread, are moments when individuals question whether their lives have meaning, purpose, or value AND are negatively impacted by the contemplation. Imagine a state where thinking that nothing good is going to happen and you have no purpose actually makes it worse. That is what we are talking about.

In most cases, there is no rational explanation for it. Just like severe anxiety. If you weren’t suffering through this, you could see that logically it doesn’t make sense. You do have value, purpose, and are wanted. The state just doesn’t let you feel that or acknowledge it. In my case, I have a couple of extenuating circumstances, but it is still a debilitating state to be in.

Now, don’t think that this #faithbites will be all doom and gloom. There is hope. Our savior provides that hope. And no, just knowing it doesn’t make it better, it’s a work in progress, just like our #faithjourney.

Today’s Questions: When you feel that you have no purpose or value, what do you do? How do you overcome the distance from the head to the heart to realize that you are loved and have a purpose?

Scripture:

• 1 Peter 5:7 – Cast all of your anxieties on Him because He cares for you
• Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Reflection

Existential crises or dread can be debilitating. Telling someone to deal with it often doesn’t work., even giving them things to do to try to manage can cause more anxiety. But how can you help? How can you start to address it? God gives us answers. Our verses today are helpful as they don’t require you to narrow down specific things or ask for help on a specific issue. In 1 Peter it says to cast ALL of your anxieties on God. This means anything and everything. No need to search and list, just turn it over and say, GOd, help me. Secondly, in Proverbs, we see God will fix it. We don’t have to plan it out, write pros and cons, or manage it. IF we turn it to him, he will make our paths straight. That doesn’t mean it will be easy, it doesn’t mean it will be quick. It means he will handle it for us. This is helpful as when you are having these moments, they feel like an eternity AND feel like no amount of work will fix it. Because you feel you aren’t worth it and don’t have a purpose. God says otherwise.

As we close, remember that we are loved by our Father. We have a purpose, worth, and a way out. We just need to cast all of this onto Him.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, we ask for your peace that surpasses all human understanding. Help us to get past the pain and dread that can come with not knowing or by thinking we don’t belong. We know you love us and will do anything to help your children. We pray that you help all of those suffering through this dread to see you, feel you, seek your counsel, and be healed. In your name, we pray, Amen.