How to Trust the Lord When Your Life Falls Apart Sýnishorn

God Does Not Abandon You

The economic crisis of 2008 took homes, businesses, and dreams. It was one of the most challenging years for millions of people, including me.

Thanks to a scholarship, I began my first semester of college that year. Meanwhile, at home, my family of three was surviving on four dollars a day. While this was a blessing, as we were accustomed to living on a single dollar each day, it still wasn’t enough.

We had no money to buy food. I remember the occasional dinner blessing of boiled pumpkin from people who generously shared with us. My mother suffered from nosebleeds every night due to the economic pressure that didn’t allow her to rest. I thought she would die.

I suffered from constant dizziness. Since I wasn’t eating for days at a time, my blood sugar levels fluctuated drastically. Despite these difficulties, I studied. The same year, we discovered that my sister was sick with dengue (hemorrhagic fever).

Amidst these life-changing difficulties, I felt desperate, hopeless, and abandoned. Because of poverty, I couldn't do anything. I couldn't heal my sister, comfort my mother, or improve our economic situation.

Philippians became my favorite book of the Bible in the middle of our circumstances. Paul writes to the Christians attending the church in Philippi and tells them something interesting: be content.

How could Paul say such a thing? Where did he find such joy and security? How could I be content when living in severe poverty?

God uses our weaknesses and draws us to him through suffering and pain. He uses these moments to remind us of the eternal security we have in him. God never abandons us!

While we’re here on earth, we can be content knowing that he will supply all our needs according to his riches in glory (Philippians 4:19, NIV). That’s a promise I can attest to. While my family and I struggled to eat, we were still fed.

However, even if we lose our lives due to our circumstances, we are kept in the Father forever. Present circumstances don’t affect the eternal hope we have in Jesus. So be content in knowing the Father loves you and will never leave you or forsake you.

Scripture: Philippians 4:11-13, Philippians 4:19, Hebrews 13:5