Don’t Let Life Break Your Spirit
by Michael A. Asher
As we as a society do our best to face the coronavirus pandemic and are trying to discover what the current “normal” is, there has been much talk about panic, anxieties, and fear of the unknown. For some people this fear and worry can lead to a much deeper depression of the human spirit. Is there a way we can counteract those feelings right now? There are no magic bullets, but I believe that taking a step back and breathing in life from our Father God can help.
It’s OK
We can all get downhearted, discouraged, and blue from time to time. If you are feeling this way right now, it’s OK, you are not alone. I doubt there is anyone who honestly feels good all of the time. Troubles arise, meaningful people pass away, loved ones drift apart, illness or injury torment us, misfortunes engulf us—the cumulative impact of hundreds of little things that vex our existence take their toll on our happiness and contentment. When these things happen, we are uncomfortable, and we often feel like giving up. Somehow, we find something within us to keep going. We persevere. We learn to trust the one who is bigger than any problems we encounter. We learn to trust the Lord.
Time, the great healer of mental and physical ailments, provides us opportunity to recover and gain perspective. Our fortunes change for the better and all is right with the world again. We reflect upon the challenge we just experienced and discover that we are now stronger because of the jolt and the bruises we battled through to get to the other side. The lessons obtained during those dark days fortify us to carry on with a newfound strength, as well as provide the wisdom to help someone else going through similar circumstances. And we have also gained the critical realization that God was with us during the storm all along.
Believe His Promises
Children learn to walk through the process of falling down and getting up time and time again. Maybe there is some pain during the process, but they keep on trying. We learn patience, endurance, and determination from the obstacles life deals us—and we cannot learn without them. We must seek to learn with intent. Our spiritual journey to find God and learn his ways should be pursued with the same fervor and enthusiasm.
Bend with the wind. Live by faith in the One who created you. Believe in his promises and that he has designed a plan just for you. Don’t let life break your spirit. After your trials, disappointments, and discouragements—whatever they may be—spring back again! Every single one of us faces challenges in this life, but God has promised us an incredible future in Heaven with him for eternity if we stay the course.
Don’t let the difficulties you face defeat you. Bide your time. Have patience. Trust in God. Then, after the storm, dust yourself off, embrace the valuable lessons, straighten up and move forward stronger and better equipped to face whatever shows up next.
These truths from God’s Word are worth hiding in our hearts right now, as we seek not to let our spirits be broken, but rather to allow God to strengthen our spirits during this season of uncertainty. And, no matter what, remember that because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross for you and me, we have the ultimate victory.
“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1, NIV).
“O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge” (Psalm 62:8, NLT).
“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! (Isaiah 26:3, NLT).
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1, NIV).
“But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57, NLT).
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NIV).
Michael A. Asher is a financial controller who has nourished a lifelong love of the Bible by sharing God’s Word through creative writing.