Finding Strength in God's Truth When You're Feeling Helpless and Beaten DownShembull

I feel helpless over circumstances beyond my control

1 Samuel 16:7; “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Are you thinking,“yes, God may do that, but I can’t see Him – and others laugh at the way I look. They talk about me behind my back, and it hurts. I feel worthless”? Is that how you talk to yourself? Maybe you wish you could get married, but aren’t sure it is even a remote possibility. Or maybe you were raised in a broken home, or abused as a child.

A lady from Capernaum (in Israel) was completely hopeless. She had endured a bleeding problem for 12 years. She spent all her money on physicians trying to get well. She was considered an outcast and unclean. No one would touch her, and she felt totally helpless. But Jesus was passing by, followed by a large crowd. Everyone was pressing in on Him, and this lady pushed through the crowd and reached for the edge of His robe. She knew she could be arrested for even trying, but she was desperate; she had no more options, no more reason to hope in the wisdom of doctors who could not help her. When she touched Jesus, she was immediately well! Read this story in Mark 5:25-34.

Ruth lived in Moab (to the east of Israel). She married an Israelite named Mahlon, the son of Naomi. Then Naomi’s husband died and so did Ruth’s. They were both widows with no future and no means of support – but God rescued them in a miraculous and delightful way. Read the short book of Ruth for the exciting story.

Have you considered how Jesus can bring healing to your situation? There is no circumstance too big for God!

2 Corinthians 4:16-18: encourages us with “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

2 Corinthians 4:7-11 also recognizes our weaknesses and inabilities, but as an opportunity God can use to show His glory and blessing, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body.”

Psalm 34:18 encourages us with, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Reflection: We can’t control our circumstances, but we certainly can control our responses to them, and through the help of our infinite God, we can overcome! Give your burden and the pain you feel to the Lord in prayer. Search the Psalms for truth from the Lord that will bless and encourage you. He will never leave you or forsake you, and He will help you to keep taking one step at a time forward, following in His footsteps.