…they may actually be falling into place.
Does it seem like everything is falling apart? I’m sure everyone has been through times of upheaval when the life we know seems to be falling apart. Change and difficulty are inevitable. But, sometimes when things are falling apart, they may actually be falling into place.
This is a guest post by Beth Harris. She is a wife, mother, Bible study leader and volunteer editor for markalanwilliams.net.
Early in my nearly 30 year marriage, we experienced many trials and it seemed like life was always on the verge of falling apart. My husband would get hired for busy seasons in his accounting profession and then let go afterwards. This happened repeatedly. We struggled like this for nearly 7 years. It was extremely discouraging to us and demoralizing for him. This added a lot of stress to our marriage especially because at the time we had two very young children.
1995 was particularly difficult as my husband had been unemployed for six months. I was working full time and attending a local church and an evening Bible study. I didn’t miss an opportunity to ask for prayer. I am grateful that I had many faithful brothers and sisters in Christ praying relentlessly and fervently with me for a job for my husband. Then in December of that year, God answered our prayers and my husband was hired by a wonderful company that he still works for today!
This was not the first or last time that I’ve experienced trials where life seemed to be falling apart. There are seasons in life and change is a fact of life for everyone. There are mountain top experiences and valley’s that each person experiences.
We don’t have to fall apart when life seems to be falling apart.
Here are some steps to take when it seems like life is falling apart.
1. Seek the Lord and pray.
This may seem obvious, but sometimes when we face trials and life is falling apart, we may be tempted to pull away from God. But, we need to press into the Lord even more and seek Him in prayer. We may not feel like praying when we are suffering, but it is vitally important.
Now especially is not the time to retreat from God. But, take a prayer retreat and allow your trials to draw you closer to Him.
Matthew 7:7 says, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (NIV)
1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, “Never stop praying.” (NLT)
The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16 (NIV)
2. Hold on to God’s promises.
When we are going through trials and life seems to be falling apart we need the Word of God to give us hope. We need to use faith building Biblical promises and assurances; and remember that God is in control.
Things may just be falling into place when life is falling apart.
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.” (Romans 8:28 NIV)
God may not always answer our prayers the way we want, but we can know that He is good, and He promises to work all things for good for those who love Him and are called. God is for us!
1 Peter 5:10 says, “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”(ESV)
This verse reminds us that trials and suffering are temporary. It has given me so much hope on many occasions when it seemed like life was falling apart.
3. Join a community of believers.
It is extremely important when life is falling apart not to isolate. We may be discouraged, depressed or ashamed and want to hide away.
But, we need the Body of Christ, the church. We need to join a community of believers in a good Biblically based local church. We need the support and encouragement of other Christians.
We don’t have to go through tough times alone and we shouldn’t try to either. Real strength is admitting that we need others and help.
This quote says it well.
Friendship improves happiness and abates misery, by the doubling of our joy and the dividing of our grief.” –Marcus Tullius Cicero
The Bible tells us that believers should support each other.
Romans 12:15 says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” (NIV)
Ecclesiastes 4:12 says, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (NIV)
We need fellow sojourners in the Lord to get through those times when everything seems to be falling apart.
What do you do when life seems to be falling apart?
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