What to Do When You’re Alone at the End of Your Rope

~~ 1 Kings 19:4 (NIV) ~~  while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.”

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by Carley Cooper

Houses on cliffs in Málaga
Microsoft Office Copyright Free Images

Feeling exhausted from the constant struggle to hold on?  Every member of our human species knows the feeling of being completely drained physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  Often, to make matters worse, those you need the most, when you need them the most, don’t seem to be there for you.  You’re hanging onto the knot at the end of a rope over a very high cliff.  You can see and hear the huge ocean-waves crashing against the jagged rocks below.  Your energy has run out, you’re alone, and your screams for help go unheard while your rope is fraying away smaller and smaller every minute.  Being at your wits end makes you want to give up, quit, and say “I’m done.”  This is how so many are filled with so much pain that they want to die.

On February 15^th of this year, a trauma sent me into a big tailspin.  My Bipolar infested brain hasn’t stopped spinning since.  I’m feeling alone, rejected, and harshly judged.  Though I didn’t have a relationship with God 20 years ago, I remember being at the end of my rope several times and telling Him I was hanging on by the tiniest of threads.  Here I am all these years later holding on to another fraying rope, and continuing to struggle with it.  Just like I know you are feeling, I’m tired of it.  I want it to stop.  How do we make that happen?

Stop Struggling :  to Rebuild Your Strength

Our human solutions to problems vary as much as the people.  The biggest problem is that our solutions are not usually good ones.  My answers, too often; are to cry, scream, throw a tantrum, or tell someone off.  Truthfully, I’m tired of crying.  On a side note, I do find that crying helps a lot; though apparently I’m in the minority about that.  It fascinates me, actually, that one body has so much water in it.  Of course, being on a healthy living path, I drink enough water that I’m surprised I don’t need oars to keep going every day.  In my past, there was a long time when I hurt so badly I asked God, on a daily basis, to take me out of this world.  I was tired of the pain and I had no desire or strength to deal with any more of it.    

I’ve been reading the story of Elijah in the bible.  I can relate to him so very much.  After he went on the run from the tyrant rage of Queen Jezebel who wanted to execute him, he ended up n the desert; depressed, alone, hungry, with nowhere to turn, and a band of killers on his tail.  He was so drained he wanted to die; and asked God to let it happen (1 Kings 19:4).

Be Still: to Hear God’s Voice

God responded to Elijah just as He always has with me.  God took care of his needs by feeding him and making sure he got some rest.  Elijah finally heard God’s voice in a “gentle whisper” (1 Kings 19:12)

As I look back, I can see that God has never left me hanging when my energy was gone.  He has given me food when I didn’t have money to buy it; rest when I didn’t know how to stop running; counseling when I didn’t have anyone else to talk to; a place to live when I didn’t have anywhere else to go; relationships when I didn’t have any friends; a church when I felt lost without a focus, and so much more.  Every time I need encouragement and I can’t reach out for it, or I don’t know how; God sends it to me.  Sometimes, it’s in the form of a daily devotional that pops up in one of my books or my email.  Other times, a friend will call out of the blue, drop by, or pop up on Skype. 

Once our physical needs are met, and we’re calmed down; we can hear God’s reassuring voice.

He Will Lift You Up

When you feel like you’re at the end of your rope, it’s then that you need to calm down.  I know it is so very hard to do this.  To relax and not worry when you’re life could be on the line; it doesn’t make sense.  But stop struggling; let Him lift you from your place way above the rocks, back onto the safety of solid ground.  Once the wind stops blowing, the rocks stop falling, and the waves stop crashing; you will hear His voice telling you what to do next.  If you’re not sure if you’re hearing from Him, or what He is saying, just quietly worship Him.  The more you worship, the clearer your heart will hear Him.  If You can’t sleep, listen to worship music.  If you’re confused, read the Word.  If you feel useless or unproductive, encourage someone else. 

God took care of Elijah, directed him, and showed him that he wasn’t alone.  Trust Him, and He will do the same for you. 

Let’s Pray

 ~~ Dear God ~~  You come to my rescue every single time, no matter how many times I need rescuing.  Thank You so much for never giving up on me.  In Jesus name, AMEN.

Now It's Your Turn

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