Rock bottom. That’s where we are at. Well, maybe a couple of centimeters above rock bottom, but pretty close nonetheless. I’m not going to sugar coat it, being in this situation was not ideal, and I can’t explain why we are going through what we are going through. From the wildfires to the virus, then the riots, and the election. It seems like everywhere you turn there’s another mess to be cleaned up and another problem to fix. Although our lives are overcome with uncertainties, one thing I do know is that our pain has a purpose. Even though we may not understand, God has us in the palms of his hands. 

They say when you are in the eye of a storm you can stand there and look around and see everything swirling around you getting tossed aside and torn apart. Right now it might feel like you are in the eye of a storm, but there is good news. God calms the storm. 

In chapter 4 of the book of Mark, Jesus takes his disciples on a boat and he eventually falls asleep. While he is slumbering a horrible thunderstorm blows in rocking the boat and jostling the disciples. Finally, they decide to wake Jesus up. When he is awake they ask him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” At that moment Jesus gets up and says, “Quiet! Be still!” and the wind died down and the waves went completely still. 

Now I know that we are dealing with a metaphorical storm, but if Jesus can calm the whipping winds and the crashing waves, then who’s to say that he isn’t in control of our situation too?

Although God has the ability to shift anything, that does not mean that we aren’t off the hook. John 16:33 says, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” 

Even though he is God Almighty, that does not mean we won’t have problems, for they are inevitable. However, it does mean that we don’t have to be afraid because he has already saved us. 

It’s easy to fall into a period of doubt during these times as well. Philippians 4:19 reminds us that God knows exactly what we need when we need it. 

“My God will meet all your needs according to the glorious riches of Jesus Christ,” Philippians 4:19. I mentioned this verse in one of my previous articles as well, but I just feel like it is such a good wake up call. There are times where we confuse our wants with our needs, which causes feelings of frustration and anger. Through this frustration, we must remember that God provides and will not let us perish.

Similar to this, sometimes our perception of a situation affects how it goes. Matthew 6:22-23 touches on this idea.

“The eyes are the lamp of the body, if the eyes are good the body will be full of light. But if the eyes are bad, the body will be full of darkness.” 

Jesus is saying that if we go into something telling ourselves that is going to be terrible then it probably will be, but we have the power to change it. We might not be able to pick the cards that we are dealt, but as long as we are alive and breathing we get to choose what we do with them. 

All too often we find ourselves worrying and wondering about the uncertainties of the future but in Matthew 6:34 Jesus tells us, “Don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” 

I am guilty of falling into the trap of constantly thinking about what’s going to happen a week from now or a month from now. We forget that our God is not of this world, he is Almighty and even when we are upset he still wants to hear from us. 

Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” 

Even in the times when we feel like God isn’t there he is. God doesn’t want to see us struggle, but if we are going to struggle he wants us to do it with him. It’s ok to be mad and frustrated and upset with the way things happen, but it’s not okay to try and face them on your own. God is right there waiting for you to call him, all you have to do is pray. 

So yeah, we are a couple of centimeters above rock bottom. You know what I think? I think this is a good thing. When you are at rock bottom your values realign, and you realize what really matters. Maybe you haven’t realized it yet, but one day you will, we don’t need these materialistic things to rebuild, all we need is Jesus, and he is the sturdiest foundation.