¹⁶ At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! (2 Timothy 4:16 ESV)

When we are going through a tough time and those who we counted on abandon us, it can create a great amount of animosity. This happens countless times in the Bible, even to Christ. But what did He do at the cross. He begged forgiveness, as did Timothy and Paul.

If we allow our animosity to grow it can do us far more harm than others acts of abandonment. We are simply giving into the enemy’s desire that he might break our spirt along with our will and our mind. He wants nothing more than to compound any desperation or abandonment we may be feeling.

It is not easy to be strong in these times and not desire to heap burning coals (metaphorically) on to those who we counted on. But this is where the Spirit’s indwelling can be both our comfort and our guide. He will never abandon us, even if He feels distant in times of distress. Even though we may feel alone, He is an ever present comfort. We just need to not give in to the enemy.