Pick Up the Pieces
What do you do when life doesn’t turn out as planned? What if you give great effort and find it makes little difference? What if everything catches fire? It doesn’t take long for much good to be lost or destroyed. Is it then game over? Some people have exhausted plans A, B and C. What about the remains of the day? Having seen and experienced brokenness, I have encouraged others to do what I find difficult myself.
Youth is characterized by drama. We are overly excited or depressed at every turn. At the same time, we are resilient. It’s an exciting time in life. I can remember being excited about new ventures and not thinking about things too deeply or too long if they didn’t pan out. I had plenty of time. Starting over was a familiar thing to me as I went from one ministry venue to another and time rolled on. I fell and got up time and again.
Rudyard Kipling said maturity is to be able to “watch the things you gave your life to broken, and stoop and build ‘em up with worn out tools.” It’s not easy to begin again, and it gets less easy as time goes by. Yet, in this position many find themselves- sometimes later rather than sooner in life. It’s not only lost work and worn tools that are in question but stage in life and the will to achieve. I know it’s hard- I’ve done it a thousand times.
There might be many reasons people stop moving forward after discouraging events. Self-doubt is a natural response to loss. So is shame. Pride can get in the way. These (and others) can translate to paralyzing fear. The problem is that life will not let us stand still. We have to keep moving. This is both a practical and a spiritual reality. The truth is, if we make even a little forward progress, we have a better chance at recovery and revitalization.
Fear itself. That’s the enemy. Jesus frequently cautioned His followers not to fear. Fear stops forward motion and invites other problems. He knew that Satan can hit a stationary target better than a moving one. And he never lets up. Understand that fear will not dissipate of its own. Our relentless foe must be fought. Such warfare is a practiced skill, perfected over time. Effort alone, however, is not enough without the proper weapon.
Faith is the antidote to fear. Faith in God and His power above human ability and understanding. Faith that God’s way is the correct way, and that our position in life is in His will and hands. It’s not easy to trust in difficulty and distress, but it’s biblical. Only the life of faith brings peace with God, self and circumstance. Little wonder the disciples implored Jesus to increase their faith. They needed it for their tasks ahead. So do we.
Sterl
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