ONE GREAT HOPE: Kari

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But me? I will hope. Always. I will add to all your praise.

My mouth will repeat your righteous acts and your saving deeds all day long.

I don’t even know how many of those there are!

I will dwell on your mighty acts, my Lord.

Lord, I will help others remember nothing but your righteous deeds.

Psalm 71:14-16, Common English Bible

As I laid prostrate on the floor of my dorm room, tears rolling down my face, gasping for breath, my heart racing in my chest, the only thing I could think to do was pray, “Lord, help me, please. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.” I laid there for over ten hours crying out for the Lord as I experienced my first ever panic attack. 

Hold up. What does a panic attack have to do with hope? It led me to a meeting with a psychologist on campus and I was soon diagnosed with depression and extreme anxiety which was now causing severe panic attacks. There were days I couldn’t get out of bed and I struggled to handle life. Yet, in every conversation with counselors and doctors, there was a running theme: hope. 

I remember the day I was asked, “Are you sure you have never contemplated taking your own life?” I responded without hesitation, “No! I have too much to live for!” I realized at that moment that even in the depths of fear and anxiety, I still had incredible HOPE in my relationship with Jesus. I took great comfort in knowing He knows my pain and my fears. He was and is more than enough to get me through the darkest moments. 

As I learned more about my diagnosis and realized the stigma around mental health challenges, I leaned into my faith even more. I believed the Lord would use this experience for good. For my good and for the good of those I would later encounter. I speak life into the dark places and let people know they are not alone in their struggle. 

Today, when my anxiety rises, I lean into Jesus and I meditate on His faithfulness through worship songs: “I will be content in every circumstance. You are Jireh, You are enough.” 

Psalm 71:14-16 puts it this way: “But me? I will hope. Always. I will add to all your praise. My mouth will repeat your righteous acts and your saving deeds all day long. I don’t even know how many of those there are! I will dwell on your mighty acts, my Lord. Lord, I will help others remember nothing but your righteous deeds.” 


Lord, thank you for all of the times you deliver me – in big and little ways. Thank you that I can have hope in all circumstances. Give me the words to speak life to others by sharing your faithfulness in my life. Amen.

Reflect on this:
Has the Lord delivered you from some dark moments? Think of someone you could encourage by sharing your experience. 

Kari Schneider lives in Dickinson, ND

I’m a 40 year old cat mom from Arizona who travels the country supporting teachers and leaders who are teaching students to read—I really appreciate TSA Pre-Check!—while also trying to dig my car out of the snow.

2 replies
  1. judymikes
    judymikes says:

    Thank you for pouring your heart out for others. Hope you do well with the blizzard in N. Dakota! I was a reading teacher and value all the hard work it takes and the support that is needed for teachers. Thank you.

    Reply
  2. Leeta Mackey
    Leeta Mackey says:

    It’s true we often don’t want to share our struggles with others once we’ve through them. We would rather just move on with our lives. Thank you, Kari, for reminding us so beautifully that Jesus wants us to live in community. Another person may need encouragement for the very thing we just went through. That’s why sharing our stories is so important.

    Reply

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