When you hit rock bottom

Has there ever been a time in your life when you've hit "rock bottom?" These are experiences that occur that can bring us down. None of us gets through this life without setbacks and disappointments. When setbacks and disappointments do occur, they have a way of just taking the life out of us. There are many feelings that can come upon us during these times. There might be feelings of hopelessness, defeat and despair. Just when things seem to fall apart, it seems that more troubles just seem to come. Some people become so overwhelmed that when they have been knocked down, they just stay down and have neither the will nor the strength to stand again.

When you've had those moments, when you've had the setbacks, how do you respond? It's
far too easy to remain down and have a "pity party." It takes faith and strength to stand and to continue to press on. You will surely have those times when you're just knocked on your back. When you've hit rock bottom, look to the One who is able to cause you to stand again.

WHEN TROUBLES SINK YOU LOW.

We are living in times when people are facing great challenges. Many people have hit rock bottom because of the economy. Many have lost their jobs, and cannot afford to pay their bills, and some have even lost their homes. As a result, many have been knocked off their feet and have lost all hope. Some have felt that all is lost, and there have been those who have taken their own lives. There are many reasons that people hit rock bottom. A person might find out that they have an serious illness. An
alcoholic or drug addict hits rock bottom when their drug of choice no longer works. Sometimes the setbacks become so great, that life becomes overwhelming.

Some people are able to pull themselves through the difficult times, while others are not. There are those who are not able to pull themselves up, and they just lose all hope and just give up. They might hear others tell them; "You can do it. All that
you need is self will." This view focuses more on self rather then looking to God and to others for encouragement and support. When people hit rock bottom, they need more then their own will. If they depend solely upon themselves, they will fail.
They need One who is both able to raise them up and to fully restore them. They need a power that is greater then themselves.

THE ONE WHO RAISES US UP

There is a blessing that comes when we've been knocked on our backs. This causes us to take our eyes off of ourselves and to look to the cross. When we've been knocked on our backs, there's no place to look but up. When we do look up, what do we see?
We see the Savior who is able to raise us up. We see the Savior who is able to give us strength and to restore our hope. When we've been brought low, Christ raises us up. The Savior reaches down from the cross and reaches out His hand. With faith, we take hold of His hand and we are able to rise up.He pulls us out the pit and gives new life. Because He does this we can say; "Yet, You have brought up my life from the pit, O Lord, my God." (Jonah 2:6)

Christ through His death and resurrection reached down from the cross and pulled us up from the curse of sin, death and the devil. These had brought us low. But by His grace, He has freed us from their power. Through faith, we take hold of the gifts that He offers to us. Through faith in Him, our soul is restored.(Psalm 23) Daily Christ lifts us up with His word of forgiveness and nourishes us for the journey through the Sacrament of the Altar. Through faith, when we hit rock bottom, we have the power to stand.

DON'T STAY DOWN, GET UP!

There will be times when you'll hit rock bottom. Don't think of it as the end; think of it as a new beginning. Think of it as a chance to start over with a new outlook.
Don't wallow in misery, and turn down any invitations to go to a "pity party." Take hold of the Master's hand press on. When you're knocked down, get up, brush off the dust and get on with the journey. When you hit rock bottom, don't stay there. Look up to the One who is able to raise you up.

By Michael Carter

From the collection:Reflections along the journey.