Terrorist suddenly attacked a believer’s business destroying everything that they did not take. The invaders slaughtered the majority of his workers in the raid. No one could imagine this godly man’s life getting worse but he received word that a powerful tornado had killed several family members. His community noted him as a man of integrity who served God faithfully. Despite all the troubles he endured, he remained strong in his faith. He never blamed or questioned God. He knew he began with nothing and could build again from nothing. However, the ultimate blow struck—he contracted an incurable illness. Eventually, his friends, family, and even his wife gave up hope, but he continued firm in his hope that God would bring him through.
When we hear of such faith, I think we all hope that we would remain this grounded in similar circumstances. Around the world today, many Christians are facing even worse situations. Certainly, not to the same degree but every believer can feel like their world is closing in around them. I did after a life-threatening bout with malaria followed by severe complications lasting for years. When we moved back to America, physically and emotionally I was wasted. On top of that Satan used one of his most powerful tools—discouragement. After he gets us to this point, we begin asking questions like: “Why God?” “Did I do something wrong?” “Will this ever end?” My question list could have filled up this page. One of the worse results became ‘panic or anxiety attacks.’ I would become overwhelmed with anxiety for no reason; sometimes paralyzed with fear. Satan made sure everything was blown out of proportion.
When life closes in we feel alone and like we are the only human who has ever faced our situations. In contrast, the Bible records numerous examples of God’s faithful servants, who became overwhelmed with life. One example we don’t often associate with being overwhelmed was King David. One of his lowest emotional moments came after he fled from Saul to King Achish of Gath. A common element of being overwhelmed is paranoia. It appears it afflicted David. Instead of feeling safe, David became very afraid. He pretended to be insane in their hands and made marks on the doors of the gate and let his spittle run down his beard (1 Sam 21:12 ESV). King Achish told his servants that David had gone mad. This frightened David even more and he escaped to the cave of Adullam (1 Sam 22:1). Alone, afraid, discouraged, desperate, and hopeless would only begin describing the scale of emotions he later wrote about in Psalms concerning this experience. Yet, this wasn’t the last time David found himself overwhelmed from life.
My heart is in anguish within me, And the terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fear and trembling come upon me, And horror has overwhelmed me. I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. “Behold, I would wander far away, I would lodge in the wilderness. Selah. “I would hasten to my place of refuge From the stormy wind and tempest. (Psa 55:4-7). David composed this after fleeing from his son Absalom when he sought to overthrow his father from the throne. On other occasions David wrote, I am weary with my sighing; Every night I make my bed swim, I dissolve my couch with my tears (Psa 6:6). How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me (13:2)?
In the Books of Psalms David shared the deepest emotions of his heart. Scripture does not portray him as a super saint, but as an ordinary man with not only victories, but also failures and sins. His thoughts speak to us because he honestly says what he feels, whether joy, anger, doubt, discouragement, hopelessness, and most any other emotion we feel at times. Instead of rejecting him, God always helped him and says of him, I have found David . . . a man after mine own heart (Acts 13:22). In our times of discouragement, we may feel God has abandoned us or is punishing us. However, the Holy Spirit is working in the mist of our worst troubles bringing us victory.
I can’t fail to mention Christ when life closed in on Him. As Jesus came into the Garden of Gethsemane the night prior His crucifixion, He told His disciples, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” (Mark 14:34 NIV). On the cross, About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”) [Matt 27:46 NIV].
When life has overcome us and we have done all we can, remember this is a battle in the spiritual realm and far beyond human ability and power. At the cave of Adullam, David wrote Psalms 34 telling how he turned to the Lord knowing this fight was beyond his ability even as a noted warrior. David also exchanged his fear for worship. I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth . . . I sought the, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fear (Psa 34:1-4). He focused on God, and not his problems.
Oh, by the way, the believer in the opening paragraph was Job and The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the first. (Job 42:12 NIV).
Sustaining Word for the Week: Satan’s strongest attacks come when we are on the edge of the greatest victory.