How to Trust in Jesus When Everything is Falling Apart
Have you ever wondered how to trust in Jesus when everything is falling apart? Sometimes we cling to Him when the going gets tough, and sometimes we wonder how things got so far out of control. That’s where this week found me. I’ve been trying to memorize Psalm 62:2 for the past couple of days, and I think Satan took it as a challenge. It says, “{God} alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress, I shall not be greatly shaken” (ESV).
Let me back up a little bit for you though.
Last week I attended a women’s conference that stirred something deep within me. A longing to know Jesus more. Not to just live for Him, but to walk with Him. So, when I came home, I stumbled across Psalm 62:2 in my morning quiet time and clung to it. Everything was going great… until today.
The day started off pretty normal. I spent some time with Jesus, got my kids ready for school, came home and ate breakfast. I even postponed going straight to my desk in favor of some extended quiet time. And then I buckled down and got to work, and Satan stepped in.
Things quickly spiraled out of control. Have you ever been so upset you were physically shaking? That’s where I was. It seemed like everything I touched was falling to pieces (literally). In hindsight, it could have been worse, but in the moment, I was done.
I think I may have actually looked at my Bible with scorn as I wondered how the gospel could fix this. Thankfully, God took up that challenge. After a few tears, I picked up my Bible and started to read. I lost myself in one of the stories from the Old Testament. It didn’t necessarily speak to the moment at hand, but took my eyes off my problems and put them back on Jesus.
And that’s what I needed.
A little while later I looked at Psalm 62:2 and realized that I had most definitely been greatly shaken. And I felt like a failure. In my moment of distress, I didn’t look to Jesus. I didn’t cling to the cross. I let Satan win.
But God…
We all need a good “but God” now and again don’t we? Well, I felt like a failure, but God whispered in my heart with words I will never forget. “You didn’t fail, you slipped and fell. Now let Me help you up so we can try again.” If’ you’ve ever been there take a moment to let those words sink in.
You are not a failure.
I love God’s foresight. That morning in my extended quiet time, I had read a devotional by Angela Nazworth. She wrote about when she was a teenager and used to go to the skating rink… even though she didn’t really know how to skate. She clung to the carpet wall, afraid to fall. And that fear held her hostage. It kept her from embracing all that the skating rink had to offer.
She wrote about a girl with big hair who skated with ease, but still fell down once and again. The difference was that when the big hair girl fell down, she got back up. She didn’t let it keep her down. She didn’t call it quits. She just stood back up, and started going again.
And that’s where God found me today. I had fallen, and I needed to get back up. Jesus had His hand stretched out, I just needed to grab hold. So wherever today finds you, I pray that you always remember to let Jesus help you back up.
She let Satan win that day, but God… Click To TweetP.S. Anxiety is something I have struggled with for years. If you struggle with it too, you may find the resources listed on this page helpful.
*Originally posted April 6th, 2017
Heather, thank you for this reminder to hold on to Jesus… Also a reminder to me that you never know what a day will bring!! 🙂 But Jesus knows.
Amen, Elizabeth! We never know what’s coming, do we? But we can trust in Jesus, no matter what’s ahead (or how wrong things go).
What a great reminder! Thank you – I needed that.
Thanks for your encouragement, Sherry, and for stopping in 🙂
I had a day kind of like that this week! Thank you Heather, for sharing the hard moments of your own life to encourage others, it spoke to me today.
I am so glad to hear that, Jaime! Not that you had a bad day, but that you can relate, and that this helped.
Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt…and got back up. I love that phrase that little piece of scripture “But God…”
Those two little words move mountains.
Amen, Jessica! I think we all struggle with the ups and downs of life, but God is always with us.
Gosh! I could use a reminder like this everyday. Not that my life falls apart everyday : ) but inevitably something happens that wrecks something. Focusing on Jesus even when things aren’t falling brings Him to mind sooner when things are falling apart.
Yes! That is so true, Sheila! Trusting Jesus in the good times and the bad are equally important. Because ultimately we trust Him or we don’t.
It happens to the best of us. Thank God for His grace.
Amen, Debbie! So thankful for His grace.
I knew this writing sounded familiar. I was pleasantly surprised to see Heather’s name at the bottom. I very much enjoyed this post and honest look into your relationship, Heather. I will definitely be sharing this one!
Thanks, Lauren! I appreciate your encouragement and support. Glad you found me here.
This is an amazing post, do you mind if I share with my friend who is going thru a tough time, I think this will encourage her
Please do, Terri. That’s why I write.
I don’t know how people get through each day without Him.
Honestly, I don’t either. My heart breaks for those who are trying to go it alone.
I say these days when it comes to tough times is that God’s got this… 🙂
Yes! My little reminder to myself is to take a deep breath and then say, “God’s timing is perfect, His ways are best, and He loves me.”
Beautiful post. Thank you. I love this!
Thanks, Aleida!
Heather, God is so faithful and I love that He always steps in when we are finally willing to stop fussing and listen. He is good and He is trustworthy, no matter how we are being attacked or how life is falling apart. It is not a feeling, though we long for the feelings so much, it is a fact. Thanks for sharing this.
Amen! God is so good. Thanks for stopping in, Amy.
Isn’t this so true! I had a similar moment tonight. I had a bit of an explosion, gritted my teeth knowing I had to apologize because I shouldn’t have blown up and then focused on praying to guard my heart from allowing it to go further. It’s so easy to just let it go sometimes but I’m thankful when God provides a way to reel ourselves back in!
Yes! It seems like the more I grow in my relationship with Jesus, the more I learn about my own sinfulness. I know I’m growing, but it just makes me notice more, I think.
This is the first time I’ve visited your wonderful blog! I found you on Writer Wednesday at Becoming Press. Thank you for your transparency and candidness! I’m sure many of us can relate to your experience – I certainly can! How wonderfully you handled it by going to your Father! Thank you so much for sharing so openly and beautifully!
Thanks for stopping in, Patricia! And thanks for your encouragement. So glad you found us.
Wonderful reminder. But for God none of us would ever get back up again!
So true, Hope! That’s a reminder I need daily.
truth here! And that “But God”! Last year I wrote a whole series on scriptures that say “But God”
I just finished a devotional by Corrie ten Boom. She said too often we put the “But God” in the wrong place.
“I trust in Jesus but I’m in a terrible trial.” We should say… “I’m in a terrible trial, but God is Faithful.”
Amen! Life is hard, but God is good!
Wow, what an amazing website!
I was looking for women websites, and yours popped up immediately. So, of course I looked into it, and was blessed by the Christ filled truth baring blogs from you and all of the lovely ladies who contribute on your site.
Thank you for your love of Christ and for sharing it with the world.
God Bless you all~
Thanks, Camille!