When Everything Breaks
Today has been an interesting day. The low tire pressure light came on in my car. The folding machine in the office broke. The part that controls projection in the sanctuary broke. Three people are headed to the hospital. A church that I met with had several things break. Even though I don’t believe in bad luck I am wondering if I mistakenly walked under a ladder! Ever have one of those weeks when everything breaks?
If you are like me, you have had many weeks (and maybe years) that outright made you miserable. Life is not always easy and can honestly get hard sometimes. What do we do when things start falling apart around us?
Maintain perspective: The good news about my list is that I can easily keep these things in perspective. They are inconvenient for sure but they are easy to keep in perspective. My tire may be leaking air but I have a tire. Computer parts may break but I live in a place where I have a computer. People may be headed to the hospital but I live in a place where excellent medical care may be found. When your eyes turn inward to the problems you face, it can be helpful to take a few moments and consider what is going on around the world. It is my prayer that your sense of misery will be replaced with a sense of gratitude. You may be facing hard times but you own a device that is letting you read this blog. You have more to praise the Lord for than many in our world.
Rely on relationships: I find that many people who face hardship live as though their friends are given a magic ball and when you are having a hard day, that magic ball starts glowing so your friends know you need them. Let’s just have a real honest moment and say that isn’t fair to anyone, including you. Let your friends know if you need them. Don’t assume they have seen it on social media. Call them or drop in on them and ask them to pray for you. We need to give each other permission and the opportunity to express care.
Reach out to giftedness: Sometimes you will need the assistance of those who have specific gifts. This morning there were four people in my office with me, all of whom had very different gifts than I possess. They were all in my office to speak into matters outside of my area of expertise. These individuals may not know the depth of what personal struggles I face but they are important to the cause of Christ and I value them as people, as brothers and sisters in Christ and for their gifted voice. You may need those voices when everything around you starts breaking. Don’t be afraid to call those who have gifts in your areas of need.
Rally to the feet of Jesus: You may be reading this and have recently lost a spouse, a child or close friend. You may be reading this and are facing a terrible, debilitating disease. Your falling-apart-world is very personal to you and the pain is real and pronounced. The advice so far likely has not made an appreciable dent in the enormity of your pain.
I am a fan of the Civil War, or War Between the States as it is called in South Carolina. The southern general Thomas Jackson had a huge impact on the morale of his soldiers. He faced bullets in the battlefield with the same confidence that he faced the pillow in his bed. He was unflappable and earned the nickname “Stonewall” for his fearlessness. The end result was that the soldiers rallied to him, even in the face of death.
You and I know One who has faced death and was victorious over death. Through his death and resurrection those who are his disciples can also have victory over death. Yes, the pain is terrible. Yes, the loss is real. Yes, the fear of separation can haunt you. Rally to the feet of Jesus. His your rock and your refuge. He will put a dent in your doubt. When everything breaks, He is the God of restoration. In the end all will be made right.
It is my prayer that you are encouraged today. You are not forsaken. You are not abandoned. In Christ, you have cause for hope.