What if the Bottom Falls Out?

How often do you have one of those days where the bottom just seems to fall out? Things appear to be on the up and up, going well, when all of a sudden it happens—disaster strikes! Unexpected…unprepared for…what do you do? How do you respond? How do you overcome?

Sadly, disaster strikes more often to more people than we are truly aware of. Many of the people we encounter on a daily basis are going through some kind of crisis situation in their lives. Maybe that is you right now? An unplanned expense? A serious medical condition? A lost job? Problems with a child? An unexpected death of someone close? These situations are real and the pain and distress is real as well.

David and his fighting men had been out in the field for a time engaged in battle with the surrounding enemies. The Bible tells us that when they returned to their home town, “they found it burned down. Their wives, sons, and daughters had been kidnapped” (1 Samuel 30:3 HCSB). The Bible says: “David and the troops with him wept loudly until they had no strength left to weep” (v. 4). Their distress had overwhelmed them.

Just when he thought things couldn’t get any worse, David found out his “troops talked about stoning him, for they were all very bitter over the loss of their sons and daughters” (v. 6). Much too often that is what happens in our lives when we find ourselves distressed and overwhelmed by some situation—all of a sudden we get whacked by something else compounding the already difficult time we are going through.

David knew right where to turn in his difficult hour. The Bible says: “David found strength in the Lord his God” (v.7). He got away and got with GOD. GOD ministered to his heart. GOD strengthened and encouraged David promising him that victory was on its way! David went out and confronted his enemy.

The Bible tells us: “David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken; he also rescued his two wives. Nothing of theirs was missing from the youngest to the oldest, including the sons and daughters, of all the plunder the Amalekites had taken. David got everything back” (v. 18-19).

David could’ve sat around depressed and distressed over how bad his situation had become. He could’ve continued crying out, blaming GOD for not taking care of him. He could’ve just thrown his hands in the air and claimed defeat and simply returned to his old way of living. But, he didn’t! He went forth in the power of GOD, faced down his enemy and took back everything the enemy had stolen from him. He refused to be defeated and he came out the conqueror!

I have known many people who allowed their mounting problems, their discouragement, their distress to destroy them. Much too often, people return to their old way of living when disaster strikes rather than turning to GOD and trusting Him. Rather than listening to GOD and following His direction, people will turn to the bottle, to drugs, to worldly living—leaving all that GOD had already done in their lives behind.

Maybe that is you today? Maybe the bottom fell out for you? Something came into your life and drug you away from your relationship with GOD? You were living high on the mountain only to find yourself falling over a cliff of despair. The despair got ahold of you and today you have returned to the ways of you old life? Maybe it’s time to change your situation? Maybe it’s time to turn back to GOD and allow Him to move in your life once again? He is waiting to hear from you.

Maybe the bottom fell out for you? Maybe your life has crumbled underneath you and you are just hanging on by a thread? Give the problem over to GOD. Trust Him for the answer. Hold your head up and walk in faith that GOD will take care of you. GOD is here for you, simply put your trust in Him today. If the bottom falls out, GOD will be there to catch you! Trust Him!

Maybe the LORD has been blessing you in a very special way and you are overflowing with His peace, assurance and joy today? Find someone that’s not doing so well and bless them through a kind encouraging word, through a special prayer, through a helping hand. Be GOD’s hand extended into someone’s life today!

Scripture Reading: “You are righteous, Lord, and Your judgments are just. The decrees You issue are righteous and altogether trustworthy. My anger overwhelms me because my foes forget Your words. Your word is completely pure, and Your servant loves it. I am insignificant and despised, but I do not forget Your precepts. Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your instruction is true. Trouble and distress have overtaken me, but Your commands are my delight. Your decrees are righteous forever. Give me understanding, and I will live.” (Psalm 119:137-144 HCSB).

Personal Prayer: Father in heaven, I am overwhelmed by my problems today. I don’t know how much more I can take before I break. It seems the enemy just keeps packing on the problems and the weight has nearly overcome me. Today, I place my trust completely in You to take this heavy load from me before I break. I pray that by Your Spirit I may find relief, peace and the ability to move forth in the victory You have for me. I realize that things that come into my life can be used to strengthen me and I am trusting that as I look back on this terrible time I have gone through that I will always see the victory that You brought me through by Your power. Thank You, Father for loving me and never giving up on me…I trust completely in You! I love You…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!