Most of us have probably been there. One bad thing happens, and then another, and then another. Pretty soon we’ve got a big old pile of awful that we don’t know how to wade through.
We may find ourselves asking, “Why me, Lord? Why us? What did I do to deserve this?” We may even turn our backs, throw our hands in the air, and say, “I’m done, Lord. It’s too much. It’s too much.”
What do we do when we want to turn our backs and walk away? What if you’re already there?
Burrow in close, like a little tick. Don’t worry, you can’t suck the Lord dry. If you see the train wreck coming, burrow in now. If the mess is present and you’re struggling, turn around and latch on.
You may want to resist this advice right now. I totally get that. Been there, done that. There are times where I can’t read certain blogs or be around certain people because my heart isn’t in a good place and all I can think is, well goody for you but why is my life sucking so much right now?
When we feel like God has turned His back on us, it’s usually because we are grieving the loss of something. A dream, a family member, a job, a spouse, a relationship, etc. Give yourself permission to grieve that loss. But don’t do it alone.
When we burrow in deep our perspective starts to change. Prayer is key. Keep on talking to the Lord even if you feel like your prayers are bouncing off heavenly walls and not hitting the mark. Ask Him the hard questions and wait on Him. Ask Him to speak to your heart.
During these times it can be easy to fall into old habits or to tune into tv shows, movies, and other media that may not be healthy. Try to avoid this foothold. Pull up GodTube online and watch some good stories and hear some good messages. See if your favorite bible teacher is on YouTube and click play, even if you turn it on only for background noise.
Turn on KLOVE or another Christian station when you reach for the radio dial.
Journal this journey. It’s always amazing to look back on hard times and see how far you’ve come. Perhaps next time the road gets rocky or the bottom feels as if it’s fallen out, you can look back through this time of struggle and see how God got you through it.
Make a coffee date with your best girlfriend, even if you have to do it via Skype. It’s easy to try and isolate when things aren’t going well but find at least one person you can lean on.
Dig into your bible. Even when you don’t feel like it. Keep reading until. Until you know deep down in your heart God is speaking right to you. Ask Him to show you His presence in His word.
It’s normal to have times of trial and times where our faith dips and sags. This life isn’t easy for any of us. If you’re brave enough, ask around. If we admit it, all of us have faced times where our faith has taken a hit.
If you, my precious sister, are struggling right now, please leave a comment below and let me pray for you . You’re not in this alone.
He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains. Psalm 107:14
The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked. Proverbs 24:16NLT
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Photo credit: Dennishillman
Updated 12/12/2013
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Thanks Mel. I think sometimes we just need to hear that we’re not alone. I wish more people were more open and honest. You do a good job of that.
I felt like you were talking to me! You described my life for the last 4 years. My husband was unemployed for 3 years, I developed many health issues which resulted in a complete hysterectomy at 48, my mentally disabled sister in law had to come live with us during that time. She is difficult to live with and tells me she hates me. I am a nervous wreck because of her irrational behavior. It seems like nothing good happens to us, we never get a breather. This has been going on for 4 years now. Everything is hard, we can’t seem to do more than barely make it. I have herniated discs and other health problems which cause me so much pain so I had to quit my job. So for now we are living on one income. Many other things have happened the most recent–my sister-in -law brought home bed bugs to our house! We have been living a nightmare!! It is costing us over $2000 to have pest control take care of this, and we certainly can’t afford it. The bed bug thing felt like the last straw. My husband and I keep asking why and what is God trying to tell us?
But I must say your advice is right on target. In the last 4 years I have burrowed in. Latched on to God. Read the Word all the time. Desperate. Seeking. Refusing to give up. Listen to K-love all the time. Memorize Scripture. Read encouraging blogs every day and share much of it with my family to encourage them also. Pray as I do my work. And do you know what? My faith has grown by leaps and bounds. Not sure what God has in mind, but I do know if it were not for the hardships of these past four years, I would never have experienced the close walk I have with Him now! Yes it is hard and painful. And I do not enjoy going through the these trials. But I am learning, it is the trials that make me more like Him! It has given me a deep desire to help others and a tender heart for those who are less fortunate than me. I ask God to do His work in me and I believe He allows all this to do exactly that!! We would appreciate your prayers. It has been a long hard road and we are so weary and often wonder if we can hold on much longer. But we are keeping our faith In Jesus!! God is faithful and will continue to be faithful!!
I just prayed for you and I must say, God’s using your situation right now even if you can’t see it. What you shared here in the comments may be just what someone else needed to hear! Keep sharing your story because others need to know they are not alone and it will help you not feel so alone in all of it too. Thank you for sharing and encouraging me here 🙂
Thanks so much Mel….I follow you and your writings and get so much out of some of them….This one has to do with a complete knee replacement that is going rather well. My problem physically (not to mention there are a few more problems) is that now I’m feeling in my good knee, the same things that I felt before I had my bad knee fixed. I have a problem with arthritis and was getting shots in both knees…..So far, my good knee was OK. (could have been from the medication)……but now ……it is starting to act up again. Knee surgery is very painful and I wonder why God is working on my good leg???
I have had a very successfull conversation with God yesterday, and I felt a weight lifted off of my shoulders about all the other problems that has arisen in my life…..but I felt I needed to share with you this story.
You do such a wonderful job at what you do……I thank you for that.
Blessings to you,
Donna
Prayers for your health and knees Donna. That is so hard when the physical stuff doesn’t seem to have an end. Thank you for the encouragement! I needed that as well 🙂
Just what I needed TODAY! Thank you dear sister!
The thought of burrowing in is just what I was saying to God today, that I just want to be wrapped up with Him. I prayed the same for Dennis; just wrap him up too and keep him, Lord, wherever he is. Wrap all of us up in a big God blanket!