Rock Bottom
I was in my early thirties, a dedicated wife and mother, a Christian worker at my husband’s side. Yet inwardly I found myself on a trip nobody wants to take, the trip downward. I was heading for that certain sort of breakdown of my stubborn self-sufficiency.
Finally I experienced the odd relief of hitting rock bottom, where I made an unexpected discovery: The rock on which I had been thrown was none other than Christ Himself. Cast on Him alone, I was in a position to rebuilt the rest of my life, this time as God-dependent person rather than the self-dependent person I had been. My rock-bottom experience became a turning point and one of the most vital spiritual developments of my life.
Most people feel anything but spiritual when they hit bottom. Their misery is often reinforced by Christians who take a very shortsighted view of what the sufferer is going through and why. But our heavenly Father is well-pleased with what He intends to bring out of such a painful process. A person who knows the secret of the God-dependent life can say, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes” (Psalm 119:71). - Joanie Yoder
Psalm 119:65-72
65. Thou hast dealt well with thy servant. O Lord, according unto thy word.
66. Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.
67. Before I was afflicted o went astray: but now have I kept thy word/
68. Thou art good, and doest good: teach me thy statutes.
69. The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.
70. Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.
71. It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
72. The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.
Lift up your eyes, discouraged one,
The Lord your help will be;
New strength will come form Him who said,
“For rest, come unto Me.” - Anon
WHEN A CHRISTIAN HITS ROCK BOTTOM,
HE FINDS THAT CHRIST IS A FIRM FOUNDATION.
Finally I experienced the odd relief of hitting rock bottom, where I made an unexpected discovery: The rock on which I had been thrown was none other than Christ Himself. Cast on Him alone, I was in a position to rebuilt the rest of my life, this time as God-dependent person rather than the self-dependent person I had been. My rock-bottom experience became a turning point and one of the most vital spiritual developments of my life.
Most people feel anything but spiritual when they hit bottom. Their misery is often reinforced by Christians who take a very shortsighted view of what the sufferer is going through and why. But our heavenly Father is well-pleased with what He intends to bring out of such a painful process. A person who knows the secret of the God-dependent life can say, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes” (Psalm 119:71). - Joanie Yoder
Psalm 119:65-72
65. Thou hast dealt well with thy servant. O Lord, according unto thy word.
66. Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.
67. Before I was afflicted o went astray: but now have I kept thy word/
68. Thou art good, and doest good: teach me thy statutes.
69. The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.
70. Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.
71. It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
72. The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.
Lift up your eyes, discouraged one,
The Lord your help will be;
New strength will come form Him who said,
“For rest, come unto Me.” - Anon
WHEN A CHRISTIAN HITS ROCK BOTTOM,
HE FINDS THAT CHRIST IS A FIRM FOUNDATION.