Desperate TImes, Desperate Measures

Desperate Situations and Desperate Decisions

When is the last time you were in a tough situation that caused you to make a bad decision? So often, situations feel desperate, and we make choices in the moment that we may regret later. Over the years, I’ve found myself in seemingly desperate situations that have cost me lots of time and money.

One time, I paid someone $250 for a consult to be on a music production team only to be forgotten, discouraged, and more broke than when I started. I proceeded to purchase music production courses, cheat sheets, and more. I never made a dime, but several people profited from my desperation. What was supposed to bring me money actually ended up costing me more money in the long run.

The Allure of Quick Fixes

Maybe you’ve been in a similar situation. Multilevel marketing schemes come and go. Get-rich-quick schemes tempt you to invest your hard-earned cash only to leave you behind. That too-good-to-be-true job opportunity turns out to be untrue after all. It’s frustrating—especially when we’re genuinely striving to glorify God in everything we’re doing.

Sometimes we pray, seek God’s answer, and think we’ve received a “yes” when really, He was calling us to hold on.

We’re not alone.

In Genesis 16, Abram and Sarai found themselves in a similar situation. God promised Abram land and offspring, but it didn’t seem like His plan was unfolding. In his mid-80s, Abram had no children, and his wife was barren. Infertility plagued their marriage, and it didn’t seem like God was going to use Sarai’s womb to fulfill His promise.

Sarai decided to help God along. Instead of waiting, she gave her servant Hagar to Abram, assuming this was God's intended plan.

That must’ve been what God wanted, right?

Wrong!

Instead of fulfilling God’s will, they walked their own path. It cost them far more than they imagined.
    •    Hagar was misused and abused by her masters.
    •    Sarai was provoked to anger and contempt toward Hagar.
    •    Abram and Sarai’s marriage was strained.
    •    Hagar fled, alone and pregnant, heading for Egypt.

It was a huge mess! Impatience and sin led to dire consequences for the aging couple and their young servant.

God’s Mercy and Healing

Yet, God is a healing and merciful God.

God saw Hagar and allowed her son, Ishmael, to live. Though his life would be challenging (“a wild donkey of a man”), God demonstrated mercy by hearing Hagar’s cries and meeting her in her distress (Genesis 16:11-13).

God also brought healing to Abram and Sarai. Instead of punishing them for their doubt and pride, He fulfilled His promise by giving them a son, Isaac, through Sarai’s womb (Genesis 21:1-3). Their marriage was healed, and Isaac became the fulfillment of God’s covenant with Abram.

But they had to wait another 14 years to see the promise fulfilled.

Maybe God is Calling Us To Wait

We may feel that we’re in a desperate situation requiring urgent change. However, God often urges us to slow down and wait for His answer. In Psalm 46:10, He says, “Be still, and know that I am God.”

When we focus on Jesus, we begin to look like Him. Perhaps the desperate situation is pushing us out of our comfort zone so we can find true comfort and spiritual peace in God.

Whatever you’re going through right now is not too big for God. He’s strong enough to carry you through. But we must remind ourselves to trust God’s timing and plans rather than rushing to make our own way.

When you're in a desperate situation, take time to pray, seek His will, and trust His perfect timing. What feels desperate to us is fully within His control. Waiting may be hard, but God’s promises are always worth it.

​How can you lean into God’s plans for your situation in this season?