Life at the Bottom

Our recent Beyond Today magazine featured an article about working through the weariness that life can bring about. It is especially helpful in these days of uncertainty. Hard times come at some point to us all. And, when too many things go wrong, we might feel like we have hit bottom. I have been there, and I think most of us have been there too. Life has a way of sometimes beating us down to the point where we feel hardly able to rise above our troubles.

If this is your situation now, you are not alone. Some of the Bible's greatest characters, people of deep faith, experienced being brought terribly low. "All these" endured through the hard times, and "obtained a good testimony through faith" (Hebrews 11:39). It was their faith which sustained them through the difficulties, and that is what is going to see you through as well. When the hard times come, you go to your faith. You persist in doing the things that keep you in a close relationship with God.   

When you have hit bottom and it seems like there is no way out, do the things that you know are right. For one thing, keep your prayer life going, and even stronger. Then you will find that yes, there is life at the bottom! King David once wrote, "When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then You knew my path" (Psalms 142:3). God hears your cries when you have nowhere else to go. For when "the righteous cry out, the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles" (Psalms 34:17).

Also, keep your mind on the good things; do not dwell on the bad and the negative. This means putting your faith to work! Remember this familiar passage from Paul. "Let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God...will guard your hearts and minds (and)... whatever things are true, whatever things are noble... just...pure... lovely... of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things" (Philippians 4:6-8).

When it gets hard, when there is nowhere else to go, start taking steps in the right direction. Soon enough, you will get some balance; you will have an idea of what to do, because you have made the connection with God. Jesus Christ says, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). Indeed, He knows what it is like to be brought incredibly low, for "He humbled Himself...to the point of death" (Philippians 2:8).

So, when you have hit the bottom, put your faith to work. Then you will find the path to life! In these uncertain times, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope" (Romans 15:13)!

Warm regards,

Andy

Pastor