Marvella felt so stressed out she imitated a robot going through the motions of life caring for her elderly parents while trying to manage their three children. She wanted to give her best to both ends of the spectrum, but could not do so. Marvella had to cast herself into the center of the circle of unending stress. She was stressed beyond her own endurance, and she began to unravel.
Financial calamity struck Robert at the pinnacle of his high-tech career. His position was eliminated without warning. He barely survived with his mortgage payments, car repairs, health insurance, and daily living costs before his job loss, but now, his world was about to fall apart. He felt like a ship lost at sea with a broken-down engine, a damaged rudder, and mal-functioning radar, and no sign of rescue in a raging storm. He began to unravel at the ends.
James and Sheila had been married for eighteen years when terminal cancer struck Sheila. James tended to his wife and cared for their four children ages 14 to 7 years of age as best he could, but then chemo treatments left Sheila so ill she could not function most days. He struggled with the demands of family needs and his job. When Sheila died, he was distraught beyond his capacity to cope. He became unglued emotionally.
There is hope in God. He will lead you and guide you. He will help you in all your troubles.
Marvella, take heed and do not despair. Psalm 37:17-18 says, “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers you out of all your troubles.”
Robert, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace that surpasses all understanding will keep your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
James, “Fear not, for God is with you. Be not dismayed for He is your God. He will strengthen you; He will help you. He will uphold you with His righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
But if you are not in a situation with extenuating circumstances like Marvella, or Robert, or James, what unravels you? It could be news headlines of wars and rumors of wars, or mandates forcing you to live an abnormal lifestyle, or instability in government, or financial collapse. It could be a food shortage, or another pandemic, or the eternal destiny of unsaved loved ones, or end times persecution. It could be out-of-control corruption, or chaos, or destruction, or it could be any of the other signs of end times.
How does one side-step the danger of unraveling?
Here’s what not to do: Do not lose focus! Do not despair. Jesus says, “I am with you always, even unto the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20
Here’s what you should do: Stay focused on Jesus – your Savior, your Deliverer, your Protector.
“God will keep you in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Him because He cares for you.” Isaiah 26:3