Coming to the End of Yourself

Hello dear friend,

It is never easy to come to the end of yourself. It’s amazing that God always meets us in the low places at just the right moment. I don’t know where you are on your journey, but I know that all of us will face moments when we feel overwhelmed.

The Prophet Jonah got to such a low point that he prayed this gut-wrenching prayer, “Now, O Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.” (Jonah 4:3, NIV)

Jonah is so down that he pleads with God to take his life! My prayer is that if you are at that point today, you will choose the LIFE and HELP that God offers.

In my darkest moments, I made a strategic choice to receive the help that God offers. Psalm 107 is all about God’s help. The psalmist says, “Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind...” (Psalm 107:13-16, NIV)

God offers help in so many different ways, but will we receive it? As part of my journey, Laurel was praying with me for God’s help. I went to a medical doctor (who also happens to be a friend) who laid out the options for physical changes and medications. He offered medication and I battled it. I didn’t want that kind of help. I wanted to pray or serve my way out of my depression. I stared at that medicine for weeks, but finally, it was Laurel who said, “You asked God for help. He sent you a doctor who loves you and offered help and now you want to negotiate how the help arrives?”

My friend, I am not saying medication is the way you should go. It is your choice. I am just asking, “Who do you think put the thought into the chemists’ brains when they came up with something that could help?” Jesus did. He did a miracle through chemistry. In my story, I took it and it helped. Am I still taking it? Not right now, and the truth is that I may need it again, but for now, I’m doing better and I am so grateful for the miracle of a loving wife, a few less anxious moments and a Jesus who promised to love me, no matter where the journey takes me!

My friend, help is available, hope is a gift and Jesus loves you!

You are a miracle!

Grant