Hi! I am glad you are here. This is Eric’s wife, Donna. I am the guest blogger this week. I have been dealing with some issues that I believe many others also face today. The Spirit of the Lord nudged me to share some of the things I’ve learned with you. Praying the Holy Spirit will minister to you according to His wisdom and understanding through the words I share. Donna

We live in a fallen world where sin, evil, sickness, wars, death, recessions, fires, floods, hatred, divisions and murder abound. Thus, I have no doubt that at some point, in your life, you have or will face circumstances that have/had the potential to overwhelm you.

When we were pastoring in Pennsylvania, we encountered one such circumstance. A dear young boy, whom I will call David, was being abused by his father. (unbeknown to us.) He reached a breaking point. Late one night, we received a call that David’s mother and father were dead and their house had been on fire. The investigation revealed that David had shot his parents and set the fire to cover it up. David attended my Sunday School class when the family came to church. About a week before this tragedy occurred, David had run away from home. His mother shared the note he had left for her with me. “Don’t worry about me, I will probably be a pastor some day.” David was sent to a youth detention center. I was able to see him only one time before his grandmother banned us from all contact with him. It was heartbreaking and overwhelming.

Psalm 61:2 (WEB) reads, “From the end of the earth will I cry to thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” The meaning of the phrase ‘when my heart is overwhelmed’ is that, darkness or calamity seems to have covered or enveloped his soul. (Barnes’ Notes on the Bible). Ataph, translated ‘overwhelmed’ can describe emotional, spiritual, physical faintness or weakness. It is a state of being overwhelmed by circumstances, whether due to physical exhaustion, emotional distress or spiritual burdens. ‘Rock that is higher than I’ conveys a place where my enemies cannot approach to hurt me; take me under thy particular care and protection. God’s power and promise are a rock that is higher than we.

A number of years ago, Eric had a surgery which left him incapacitated for ten months. For many of those months, we did not know what specifically was causing the symptoms. At one point, he was passing out while laying in the bed! I missed 30 days of work, lost both weight and some of my hair because of the stress and anxiety. Then, when we learned it was from a damaged nerve, we became aware that it could possibly heal or not. Either way, nerves take about a year to heal. During that time there was no smiling, let alone laughter, in our home. We prayed for hours every day and yet saw no change for ten months. Gratefully, the nerve did heal enough that Eric was able to resume a normal routine.

God has been tremendously faithful to us during a long number of years of trials and tribulations. The Lord spoke to Eric over 20 years ago and warned him that the most difficult times in his personal life were coming upon him. However, The Lord also spoke that Eric should not fear, for He would be there with him. Those times continue to come, even now.

The Lord has faithfully carried us through these trials. It has been a time of growth for us in regard to the foundation of our faith, because we have absolutely no doubt of the faithfulness of God. It has also been a learning experience for both of us.

We have seen our families and friends deal with the heartbreak of dementia, Alzheimer’s, and an aunt being a caregiver for years for her paralyzed husband.

I felt strongly that I should share some of what I have learned with you today.

I am aware of the toll on one’s physical and mental faculties when they face a barrage or extended period of time dealing with high level intensity situations. I am acutely aware of the one who experiences the brokenness, anger and frustration that comes from thinking: “things are not going according to our plan, nothing will ever change, I don’t have the capability or power to change or achieve anything in this hard situation.” Sometimes, anger, frustration and dread rises up when you hear of (or even think of the possibility of) another incident arising, i.e. another surgery, add a new doctor to the list, or see another decline that you can not abate or change.

Then, there is the frustration, anger, disappointment and guilt you experience toward yourself for getting upset, for feeling frustrated and allowing yourself to become angry, for not coping well with the ‘possibilities’ of added incidents or current situations that affect you. ‘You’ are not the one who ‘really’ needs the care and love. You are not measuring up to your own expectations for yourself! “I am a praying woman, I love the Lord, He loves me, I have faith, He never forsakes, but here I am feeling like I’ve fallen into a hole and have no sympathy and so I figure the Lord is disgusted with my whining and upset once again!” I find when I get angry and really frustrated, I’m never sure of who or what I am angry with: The situation? Myself? The Lord ? Or my husband?

These feelings are born out of disappointment, pride, resentment and envy.

How do we deal with these issues?

We confront them, confess and reconnect with the source of our peace and contentment. Ephesians 2:14a teaches, “For He Himself is our peace.” Isaiah 41:10 reads, “'Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will also help you, I will also uphold you with My righteous right hand.'“

The frustration with ourselves is usually the hardest because we tend to be our own worst critic. We need to realize that the charge in Matthew 5:48 for us to “be perfect” as our heavenly Father is perfect,” means we are to “be mature.” In this life on this planet, Christ is the only one who was or ever will be perfect.

If we are frustrated with God, we need to choose to trust Him, even when we do not understand what He is doing. He is always trustworthy and His plans for each one of us is for our good. (Jeremiah 29:11). When Jesus asked a young boy’s father if he believed Jesus could minister the deliverance his son needed, the father responded, “I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24). It is all right, if at times, our response to the Lord is the same.

Then, we need to be compassionate and forgiving with ourselves and others. (Colossians 3:13).

When we find ourselves beginning to be anxious we are instructed to let our requests be known to God by prayer and supplication. (Philippians 4:6).

Weariness will try to set in sometimes and our mind and emotions will fight with us, telling us to quit. Matthew 11:28 and 29 reveals that if we come to Jesus when we are weary and burdened, He will give us rest.

The Word of God is so wonderful! We see in numerous Scriptures that we are not alone in our struggles and our help comes from the Lord. Psalm 147:3, “He heals the brokenhearted (crushed thoughts, feelings) and binds up their wounds.” ‘Heals,’ rapha means: emotional and spiritual restoration.

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18). Benson Commentary states, “A spirit sad and dejected wasteth the marrow of the bones, the moisture and strength of the body.” If this is where you find yourself, take it to the Lord and allow Him to minister to you.

“Therefore there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1). When we slip up and fall, He is always there waiting for us to come to Him.

Isaiah 42:3a and b (ESV) is a wonderful verse, “A bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench.” Ellicott’s Commentary states that a ‘bruised reed’ indicates “physical, moral and spiritual weakness; ‘shall not break’ - He gives tender care that props and supports.” Then, Barnes’ Notes on the Bible shares the following concerning this verse: ‘bruised reed’ - denotes fragile, weak, easily waved by the wind or broken down/breaking down by trials; ‘Shall not break’ - He will not carry on the work of destruction, He won’t make you more wretched, He will have affectionate regard for the broken hearted and afflicted. He does not cast away the weak in faith.” When we are struggling and are weak, He will take care of us and help strengthen us. Thank You Lord!

Psalm 42:11 (NASB95) reads, “Why are you in despair (downcast), O my soul? Why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him. The help of my countenance and my God.” With the Hebrew meanings inserted, we could read this verse this way: Why are you bowed down and weakened O my soul? Why have you been uneasy, in turmoil or mourning within me? My expectation and hope is in waiting for God because I shall yet give thanks, laud, praise and my heartfelt expression of reverence and adoration (yadah) to Him, for He is the help of my countenance and my God.

When you find yourself feeling discouraged, angry, frustrated and broken or brokenhearted, cast your burdens upon the Lord. He will sustain, support and hold you because He cares for you! (Psalm 55:22 and 1 Peter 5:7).

Encourage yourself in the Lord and His Word! He will never leave you low when you come to Him.

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus by Helen H. Lemmel)

(Half of the first stanza and the chorus)

O soul are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see?

Turn your eyes upon Jesus Look full in His wonderful face And the things of earth will grow strangely dim In the light of His glory and grace.

Unless noted otherwise, all Scripture is taken from the New American Standard Bible 2020.

WEB World English Bible

NASB95 New American Standard Bible 1995