When All Seems Lost

I had the best intentions yesterday. I even sat staring at the empty posting screen on my computer for the longest time, reading over the day's scripture over and over. I thought of several things to write, even had paragraphs written, but not one of them ready to post. It was one of those days. We all have them, where we just can't think straight; where there are so many other things going on that it's hard to concentrate on even the important ones. So I erased them and went on to something else.

But that's exactly what I was trying to write about. There are times when the details of life, circumstances with kids, choices, futures, get to a challenging point, where anxiety, worry, can get the best of you. Where you even wonder if you are hearing the word of God right, if at all.

It's where the people of Judah had found themselves. Jeremiah had been preaching, pleading, warning them for years. Now the doom he predicted was coming. The truth he preached was being realized (as was the false hope of his adversaries). Yet even in the doom of God's messages to Jeremiah was some glimmer of hope, some future promise, something that the people latched on to, even while in chains being led away to Babylon;

Look around. What I've built I'm about to wreck, and what I've planted I'm about to rip up. And I'm doing it everywhere - all over the whole earth! So forget about making any big plans for yourself. Things are going to get worse before they get better. But don't worry. I'll keep you alive throu the whole business.(Jer 45:4-5)

The hardest thing in the world to do is to keep a "glass half full" attitude when life is at its darkest. It is usually that optimistic guy you want to strangle when all is lost, yet that's the person God wants us to be. The one who holds on to faith even in the darkest hour, in the midst of death, in chains being led away from the only promises you've ever truly believed in. That's when God wants us to hold on to Him, hold on to faith.

And it's the place that's the hardest to hang on.

It's where we recognize our true place, helpless, looking to the the only One who can make a difference, God.

Oh listen, please listen; I've never been this low.
Rescue me from those who are hunting me down;
I'm no match for them.
Get me out of this dungeon
so I can thank you in public.
Your people will for a circle around me
and you will bring me showers of blessing! (Psalm 142:6-7)

So what do we do when we are lost?

Stop and ask directions...


...from God!

Peace ><>
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