Rising after hitting rock bottom

I recently connected with a friend that is hitting rock bottom. With some major life changes on the way he has seen it is time to right the ship.

To those like him I would like to encourage you that you are not the only one that finds this place.

The crazy thing about hitting rock bottom is that it is not necessarily because you did something wrong like King David, Nebuchadnezzar, and a variety of people in the Bible.

Rather, we can also look at people like Job or Joseph who we could say were victims of other’s choices, who also were forced into the darkest times in their lives.

Regardless of how we ended up in our place of despair the answer always seems to remain the same… waiting on the Lord and walking out the trial with Him.

Isaiah 40:31 (KJV) - 31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV) - 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

1 Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV) - Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

It seldom happens that when we hit the place of rock bottom, things are fixed overnight. I have heard it said that God recycles because he never lets anything go to waste, and I would say it is true with our circumstances.

Romans 8:28 (NIV) - 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Too often we think that if we could win the lottery, get our relationship back, find that perfect job or… everything would be better.

However, God uses the times of our life while we are down to refine our character, purify our motives and remove the junk so when things again start going the right way, the foundation of our life and the trust we have in him will support the additional income, renewed relationship, etc.. so we don’t continue to live in a rutt.

Don’t get discouraged, spend some time with God in prayer, the Bible, and listening to that still small voice on how to face the next trial.

Don’t give up like King Saul, God loves you! You’re going to get through this season in life if you don’t give up.

James 1:2-4 - 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.