What To Do When You Are At The End Of Your Rope!

Our current recession in the U.S. is taking a toll on many families and lives. There are so many people who are either out of work or fearful that they will soon be because of the shrinking economy. Many people have lost their homes over the last few years, due to foreclosure, and many more hope and pray that it will never happen to them. In addition, personal finances are getting increasingly tight for many people yet expenses continue to rise. Bills mount, stress builds, and hope of relief seems to grow very distant. Does this sound like you or the life of someone you know? Perhaps your situation is different, yet you still feel like you are at the end of your rope. If you are in a desperate situation, whatever the cause of it, and you need to know how to get out of it then this article is for you!

There is a story in 1 Kings 17:8-24 about a widow who was in a somewhat similar situation to what I just described. She lived in Zeraphath, a Mediterranean town located near Sidon, during a time of severe drought and famine. Her situation was very desperate. Being a widow, she didn't have anyone to support her. She was the sole provider for herself and her son, who needed to be fed. Her situation was so bad that she only had enough food for one more meal. She determined, based upon her situation, that this would be her last meal. She would go home, prepare it, feed herself and her son and then after die. Horrible, isn't it?

But, God had a plan! God told His servant and prophet, Elijah, to go to Zeraphath and meet this widow. God told Elijah, who was also hungry, that He would provide him with food from this woman. Now, remember, this is the woman who had the very meager ingredients for only one meal, and from this meal she had to feed two people, herself and her son, and then after planned to die. It would seem to make more sense if God sent Elijah to the home of a king or a rich person. However, God often does things in ways that we would never conceive and has plans that are infinitely wiser than our own.

When Elijah met the woman in verse 10, she was in the midst of gathering sticks with which to cook her last meal. Elijah asked this woman to give him water and a piece of bread (vs. 11). She told him that she didn't have any bread but only a small amount of flour and olive oil with which she would make one last meal for herself and her son before they died (vs. 12). Elijah then told her not to be afraid but to go home and make the meal she planned, yet first make him a small loaf of bread (vs. 13). The prophet then said: "For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land'" (vs. 14). What a test of faith it must have been for this woman, yet what a wonderful promise. Wow!

What did the widow do? She responded in faith and obedience! She went home and did exactly what Elijah told her to do. Because of this she and her son were blessed. Verses 15-16 state that there was enough food every day for the woman, her son and Elijah, "for the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the Word of the Lord spoken by Elijah." There is more to the story which you can read about in 1 Kings 17.

What a wonderful illustration about how God delivers. It should greatly encourage us because God cares for everyone of His children, just as He did with this woman. He is our deliverer (Psalm 18:2) and our help (Psalm 124:8). The Bible says in Hebrews 4:16 that we can approach God's throne of grace [that means grace for us!] with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace [His help and empowerment] in our time of need. These are very real promises from our very real and very caring God. Psalm 9:18 says, "But God will not forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish." This is the same God who provides for the birds of the air and the flowers of the fields and promises to care even more for us (Matthew 6: 25-34).

So, how will God help you when you are at the end of your rope? First, trust in Him, knowing that He loves and cares for you with all His heart. Stand on His promises and as Proverbs 3:5-6 says: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight." Second, get close to God, cling to Him and obey Him. In John 15:7 Jesus said "if you remain in Me and my Words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." Third, wait and have hope in God. Don't give up! Isaiah 40:31 states: "but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Fourth, the Lord is a deliverer and He will deliver you. "The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; He is their stronghold in times of trouble. The Lord helps them and delivers them..." (Psalm 37:39-40).

Though being at the end of your rope is very threatening God is there with you. When you reach the end of yourself, you reach the beginning of God. Let Him reveal Himself to you in your situation and miraculously provide for you. Give Him thanks and praise in the meantime in anticipation of His deliverance.