Despondency is a state of complete hopelessness, when a person sees only the bad in life and gradually sinks into "darkness." Righteous John of Kronstadt precisely speaks about how a person's life can change if they ask not "Why is this happening to me?" but "What is this for?" We all grow spiritually only through sufferings and trials, therefore the Lord sends them to us out of His love for us. This, on the contrary, should give support to our faith and the desire to move forward. It is also very difficult for me sometimes to accept this, but even Christ Himself voluntarily accepted a martyr's death, offering Himself as a sacrifice of love for all of us. The apostle Paul wrote: "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church" (Col. 1:24). Earthly trials are temporary, while their fruits are eternal. "For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison" (2 Cor. 4:17). Sometimes it is worth trusting God, understanding that we see only a small part, while He sees the whole picture of our life. Even if it is difficult, we should give thanks for everything and believe. Although it is very hard for me personally, I try to work on myself.