When we are in the midst of suffering, and at the end of our self and our own resources, we are often confronted by the paradox that though we may feel lost, this may be where we find the place to arrive. 
For it is in the moments where we are crippled, broken, worn-out, we begin to realize we cannot do life completely on our own merits and efforts. We begin to recognize the Truth. That we need some One greater than ourselves to help us get off our knees, rise, and walk again.
For it is in the moments of exhaustion, having depleted our resources and energy, we become able to hear the voice of the One who has inexhaustible strength and power, and infinite and everlasting resources. Finally being at the place where we are now willing to lean in, to rest, to draw on His resources, until our fires have been rekindled.
For it is in the moments of despair, where we have run out of solutions and fear there is no way out, we can begin to see God’s steady hand reaching out to us, as He patiently waits to guide us.
For it is in the moments of overwhelming loss and grief, where our worlds have tilted, been turned upside down, we are opened to experience God’s compassion. Finding we are never alone in our distress. Because He is willing to patiently sit with us in our sorrow. And tenderly walk us through our grief.
For it is in the moments where we feel utterly rejected, abandoned, ridiculed, alone, we unlock, and become able to sense His loving presence all around us. Now sensitive to His wingspan gently embracing, enfolding, protecting us.
So it is in these moments, where we suffer and feel the most lost, that we most often find a starting place.
For we stop clutching, squeezing, grasping onto our own self-sufficiency.
Opening our hands, to release our suffering, brokenness, tiredness, despair, grief and rejection into the caring, capable Hands, that have been just waiting to receive.
And we are untethered from earthly bonds and worries.
Finding a freedom that can only be found in the fellowship, healing, love of our Heavenly Father.
Arriving in a beautiful, life-sustaining space.
Able to walk in assurance we are never alone.
Fully confident that He will provide all we need for our journey, until He calls us Home.
Photo credits: Markus Spiske and George Hiles, from Unsplash
Five Minute Friday Prompt: RELEASE
I was literally just thinking about this as I took a shower! I felt this way earlier this week…and I put my hands out before me and said “Please take this from me. I cannot do this on my own.” I have many of these moments as a mom, where I realize I am trying to do it on my own, my own self sufficiency. It never works out. It is purely by His strength that I am able to continue on. What a beautiful picture you paint with your words!
Melissa, I am so delighted that the post resonated with you. I too, have had many moments where I stretched out my hands and put my stuff into much larger Hands than mine! I think many of those moments for me were also when I was a mother. I maintain being a mother was one of the most challenging, sanctifying responsibilities we ever take on. And you are so right, it is by His strength and power and grace we are able to navigate our lives. Thanks so much for stopping by and for your encouraging words!
Wow! So powerful! Seems like the more desperate things are the tighter I cling to my imagined control. All for naught of course! If I could just lean on the understanding that by opening my hands and letting go they are free to hold onto God. Wonderful, wisdom filled words you wrote here, Anne! Thank you for sharing! Cindy
Hi Cindy! You make such a good observation about how it is often when we are in the darkest places that we try even harder to control the situation and the outcomes. Grasping for own resources and solutions, rather than trusting in God’s plans, provision and protection. Thank you so much for your encouraging comments.
So much Yes and Amen! And this: “…we can begin to see God’s steady hand reaching out to us, as He patiently waits to guide us.” Thank God for the Truth of THIS!
Karrilee, Yes! Thank God for the Truth of who He is! How he provides, protects and guides us! I too have such a heart of gratitude that I am never alone, and I can lean in to His constant, unwavering presence. Thanks for joining me at The Stones Call. Blessings!
Just beautiful Annie! The connections you make between each state of brokenness and God’s character are stunning. “Opening our hands, to release our suffering, brokenness, tiredness, despair, grief and rejection into the caring, capable Hands, that have been just waiting to receive.” Yes!
Stephanie, thank you so much for your generous and encouraging comments! I really appreciate them.
You put this so beautifully. I wish it didn’t take crisis and complete exhaustion for us to learn to trust God with our difficulties. I have to continually remind myself that he is not bothered or surprised by my daily struggles and his time is not finite. His ear is inclined to both the smallest request and the largest tragedy. Thank you for the reminder.
Oh Bethany, I too wish it didn’t take us until we are broken or in a crisis mode to turn to God and renew our trust in Him. In our humanness, it seems that this is a constant struggle, where we seek control and certainty and summer seasons. And think we can manage on our own sufficiency. Yet, God knows the truth. We need Him. And life is so rich when we are in a personal relationship with Him. We can trust Him, for He has good intentions and plans for each of us. Not for harm, but to prosper and refine us. And He is always there for us. Waiting, so patiently, so filled with mercy and grace. And yes, as you so aptly put it – his ear is always inclined to both our smallest requests and so willing to sit with us in our largest tragedies. I have such a heart of gratitude knowing that God is steadfast in His love and care for, and of us.
In our weakness, his strength is made known. There’s no doubt that in this life we’ll all face challenges and disappointments and sometimes we can’t get over it on our own. This is a great reminder that in those moments, we should seek God and rely on him.
Such a great reminder. We don’t want this to be true: that we’re often able and ready to go where we’re supposed to go when we’ve exhausted all ideas, and ourselves. But having, at least, the awareness of the truth in this paradox is absolutely crucial. Maybe then we can remind ourselves, rest, and evolve.
Thanks for visiting The Stones Call and for commenting. I agree how we so often try do things or resolve things on our own efforts and strength, rather than first look vertically and access God’s wisdom and loving support. As a result, we do compound our grief or hard circumstances by adding exhaustion, more stress and by complicating things. So as you suggest – if we remind ourselves, rest in God’s care and transformative power, we will evolve to the place we turn to Him first. Thanks again for commenting.
Thanks for this encouraging post. I know I’ve definitely felt this way so many times. I can’t always say that when I’ve sunk to these low depths I’ve immediately turned to God though. Even though I know the right thing to do, It’s easy to just so stuck in that dejected state that you don’t want to do anything and prefer to stay in the pit rather than reaching out to the heavenly hand that is there to pull you out.
Robert, thanks for visiting The Stones Call and leaving a comment. I agree, it is so easy to become dejected and try to manage on our own. But when we look up and turn to God we will ind whatever we need to move out of out of the darkness, including the provision of support, strength, hope, courage, patience and joy.
Wow! All I can say is Amen. Such wonderful truths. God bless you.
Andrew, thank you so much for your encouragement! I really appreciate it!