God Lift's Us Up

Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went on a day’s journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree. Sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” – 1 Kings 19:3-4

“What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What prospects, that I should be patient? Do I have the strength of stone? Is my flesh bronze? Do I have the power to help myself, now that success has been driven from me? – Job 6:11-13

Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me. – Psalm 41:9

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon – from Mount Mizar. – Psalm 42:5-6

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. – 1 Peter 5:7

Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.” But you are a shield around me, O Lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. – Psalm 3:2-3

Things may be tough right now but God sees all that we are dealing with. We are never alone and He is truly the lifter of our heads. It is crucial that we understand that we are in a controlled environment and nothing happens to us unless God allows it. Even though the present economic circumstances dictate that we live on less and some of us are without jobs, God still has a plan for our lives. Maybe you have been abandoned by a spouse or a friend and all hell is breaking loose around you. Or maybe you lost a loved one to death by disease, accident or old age. It is a give that financial trouble leads to some level of anxiety, emotional and physical distress but God tells us in His Word that He stands by to supply all our needs.

God’s word reminds us in Psalm 37:25 that the righteous will neither be forsaken nor their children begging for bread. Sadness, grief, fear, anxiety, depression, helplessness and stress are all negative emotions that can drag us down. But there is hope. There is hope because even Elijah, God’s own prophet in the Bible felt like giving up. The Apostle Paul complained in 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 about a thorn in his flesh. He pleaded with the Lord to take it away but God reminded him that His grace is sufficient and that His mighty power is made perfect in weakness. When we are weak because of disappointment, God strength is revealed in our lives.

Being a Christian does not make us immune from the pressures that an economic downturn can present. We all suffer directly or indirectly when things go bad. The fact that we are having a difficult time does not mean we have no faith. I have heard a lot of hogwash that faith is the key to a smooth sailing life. It is so not true. Just because you have no issues with your life right now does not mean that you have more faith or favor in and with God. Without adversity there is no spiritual growth in the life of a man. We all need tough times to see God at work. When you expect nothing to change in your life you have no need for faith. Personally, it is because of the circumstances that I have overcome with God by my side that my faith is built up.

Regardless of what you are going through right now, hold on and don’t give up. God will show himself strong in your life. He never disappoints and He is always right on time.