Faith and Trust: My Lowest Point was My Turning Point

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” Romans 8:28, NIV.¹ 

It can be difficult to wrap our head around this verse, especially when the thing we are going through is the death of a loved one, an incapacitating illness, the devastating effects of an addiction, or any other catastrophic event in our lives. How can the death of a child be good? How can watching a spouse suffer through cancer and chemotherapy treatments be good? How can watching our child go through the anguish of an opioid addiction be good?

The truth is, none of these things are good. The tragic event itself is never good.

When I lost my son, Mason, it was by far the most heart shattering time in my life. Nothing can compare to the deep ache I felt as I tried to understand how and why it was his time to go to Heaven. There was nothing good about his death.

When I lost him, it was my lowest point in life. Not only in losing him, but I’d fallen away – far away – from God. My heart ached for my little boy, but because I’d fallen so far away from God, I had no hope. My firm foundation in Christ had slowly been chipped away over the years as I tried to experience all the worldly pleasures that appeared to have so much promise on the surface. Alcohol – didn’t help. Shopping – didn’t help. Girl’s nights – didn’t help. Parties - didn't help. A new house – didn’t help. New cars – didn’t help. Nothing helped ease the pain I was feeling.

I wasn’t attending church or even reading my Bible. I wasn’t talking to Jesus or even thinking about Him. I certainly wasn’t putting Him first place in my life. Prayers were lifted up on an as-needed basis – if I was desperate or needed something from Him, I’d reach out to Him. And when I lost Mason, I once again sought Him out of desperation.

But this time it was different. Although I was completely desperate, I knew deep down in my spirit that I needed to start making significant changes in my life. And the death of my baby boy was my turning point. It took me getting to my lowest point to finally turn back to God. But I had faith that God was going to turn things around – working on me from the inside out. And just as He always had, He began to restore, support, and strengthen me, placing me on His firm foundation” (paraphrased).² 

Although my circumstances were dire, and I would never wish the heart-wrenching pain on anyone, there was some good that came out of it. It was a long, hard process, and I still have tearful moments. But the most tragic event in my life caused me to turn back to Jesus. I have indescribable peace, joy, victory, hope, and purpose that can’t be found anywhere except in my relationship with Him…and believe me, I looked…in so many [wrong] places!

Another passage that can be difficult to wrap our head around is James 1:2-4. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”³

How in the world can we find joy in the trials of life? Again, it isn’t the trial itself that brings us joy, it’s the spiritual growth and maturity that comes from the trial that can bring us joy. When we experience pain in our lives, if we allow it to, it will give us the greatest gain in our spiritual journey. Going through the painful events produces faith and causes us to learn perseverance.

I’ve heard people say that God doesn’t give us more than we can handle, but I don’t agree with that sentiment. We always have more than we can handle, that’s how we learn to depend on Him! He wants us to lean into His strength and His power, not our own.

In John 15:5, Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (NIV, emphasis mine). ⁴ You see, there is nothing we can handle [well] without Him by our side – apart from His grace, goodness, mercy, love, patience, kindness, forgiveness – we truly can do nothing of Kingdom value! We can “be content in every situation and circumstance because we can do all things through Jesus Christ who gives us strength” (paraphrased). ⁵

When we put our faith and trust in Him – our Creator – we will see things in a whole new light … His Light! ⁶

Today’s Bible Verses

1.  “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28, NIV
2. “In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.” 1 Peter 5:10, NLT
3.  “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4, NIV
4.  “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5, NIV
5.  “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11-13, NIV 
6. “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12, NIV