She crawled between the bed sheets and snuggled against the pillow and played a few games of solitaire on the IPad. It seemed a great way to escape the mounting pressures from the last few days. Honestly, more like the last year. When the game ended, sleep ensued. That, too, was a welcome respite from the cumulative emotional, health and financial strains that stood ready to collapse a once normal life.

Was there really a ‘normal’? It was a question to ponder but certainly not at the moment. The sound of a text message aroused her from sleep; a shout out for someone in need. She couldn’t help but wonder if anyone cared about her needs and struggles right now?

Who is this person?

It could be anyone of us in a heartbeat. In the blink of an eye our once secure financial situation collapses, a terminal health diagnosis is pronounced, we lose a child or spouse. These are life changing situations that can throw us in a tailspin without notice.

That could never happen to me.

Think again, my friend. That comfy, cushy lifestyle you now enjoy isn’t insured and comes with no lifetime guarantee. In this past month alone I have a friend who lost his job, two friends diagnosed with terminal cancer, another who could lose their home and someone else dealing with the expense of child custody issues. The list is endless; life happens and often fails to meet our expectations.

I am no different than any of you. I’ve had to claw my way out of the pit and still do on a regular basis. My hopes get dashed, my dreams go unfulfilled, my heart gets broken and my bank account runs dry.

What do you do?

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if God came and sat with us and gave one-on-one personal counseling when we encounter ‘life happens’ situations? He does!  The Word of God is filled with advice, counsel and solutions to every unexpected, difficult experience we face.

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall, but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:28–31

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”
Proverbs 3:5

When faced with difficulties, our immediate instinct is to lean on our own understanding and look for ways to fix things. Bad idea! Let me repeat…BAD IDEA. We are not God and the minute we ordain ourselves the ‘fixer of all things’ we will grow weary, tired, stumble and eventually fall.

God desires us to succeed in this earthly life. He has gifted us with all the tools to make that happen. Prayer coupled with the Word of God are the strongholds against our ‘life happens’ moments.

What are you facing?

Job loss, death, health, depression, financial struggles…pick your poison. Whatever ‘Life happens’ moment you are facing right now, God’s Word and prayer are the only antidotes to restore hope and strength as you walk through periods of darkness. On our own, we grow weary, stumble and fall. But, when we walk with God, He increases our ability to succeed in all things.

TODAY’S PRAYER:

Father God, life really sucks right now! It seems every direction I turn there are unforeseen problems that complicate life and steal my joy. Remind me that it is through YOU that I move and breathe. Help me to NOT lean on my own understanding but instead to trust YOU in all things.

Thank you for never growing weary with me when I call to you in my times of need. Walk with me today and renew my strength.

AMEN