Have you ever allowed circumstances to overwhelm you beyond the place of reasonable solace? I know many people live in the place of feeling overwhelmed by what is currently going on in their lives. It not only affects many of their decisions but sometimes renders the person incapable of making even simple decisions that they normally would be able to make. Outward symptoms of depression and confusion can add to the already overwhelming situation, paralyzing the person and affecting those around them in their sphere of influence.

All of us are subject to “mood swings” and emotional reactions to circumstances. Some people have learned to cover or hide their true feelings, probably for any number of reasons. Sometimes that is the proper response because you know this is just a temporary situation and that once the “storm” has past, life will go on without too much disruption. But there are other times where one thing after another happens, until “hopelessness” has an opportunity for entrance into a person’s life. 

There are times where it would be a legitimate response to ask for help from friends and/or family members and sometimes even a professional person trained for these kinds of situations. I am not a trained professional counselor, but I am a compassionate observer and understand the power of prayer and support from those who love us. I desire to see people, when they face these overwhelming circumstances, have those who are willing come along side of them, because any one of us could be there ourselves one day.

As a believer, each one of us should have a measure of compassion as well as the wisdom to come alongside a friend or family member or co-worker and offer at least our emotional support to the person that is suffering. We may not have the answer or solution to their particular set of circumstances, but just our presence and sensitivity, along with our sincere prayers for them can be very encouraging.

One of my favorite passages of scripture is the story of David, who was living out in the wilderness because King Saul continued to try to hunt him down and kill him. Toward the end of Saul’s reign, David had managed to gain enough trust with the Philistines to live among them. Then when he wanted to fight with them against Israel, the Philistines rejected that offer. Meanwhile, the Amalekites raided their camp at Ziklag and burned it and took the women and children captive. Overwhelming circumstances. Hopelessness. Even his faithful men were ready to stone him. 

But I Samuel 30:6 states that while he was greatly distressed, that David “strengthened himself in the Lord.” He went to God in these overwhelming circumstances and inquired of the Lord and asked what he should do. God spoke (through another person) and David obeyed and his 600 faithful men took courage because of David and went after their families and belongings. Later in the same chapter (verses 18-19) it states that “David recovered all” and “nothing of theirs was lacking.” In fact, he brought back so much extra spoil; he sent gifts to other leaders in Judah who were spread throughout the land. 

It was soon after that time that Saul and Jonathan were killed in battle and David was declared king. Because he had continued to be faithful and to trust God in all of the dire circumstances he had been in for many years, God exalted him at the right time.

Joseph is another example of one who had wonderful promises given to him as a very young boy, but he suffered for years — betrayal by his jealous brothers, slavery, false accusations and imprisonment for something he did not do. He remained faithful to God through it all and he was then entrusted with the wealth of Egypt and the destiny of his family.

If I understand the overall purpose of what the scriptures say concerning afflictions and trials and temptations, it seems to be for the purpose of preparing us for the future, to rule and reign with Christ. Take some time to read prayerfully through Romans 8 with these thoughts in mind. Verse 18: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Verse 31: “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Verse 35: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress or persecution, or famine or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Verse 38-39: “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Friends, we need each other. The battles many different ones are facing are beyond what one person can handle alone. We are a body of believers and together there is power to overcome. We must lay aside petty differences and choose to walk and work together for the good of the whole body. One can put a 1,000 to flight but just two believers in agreement can put 10,000 of the enemy’s minions to flight.