When You’re Down - GET UP! ...Finding Strength in Life’s Hardest Moments
By Bill Melendez, Guest Writer
Life is full of ups and downs, struggles, and disappointments. Even as Christians, we are not exempt from emotional hardships. We have all experienced seasons of discouragement—moments when it feels like the weight of the world is crushing us. No one is immune.
But for a follower of Christ, there is always hope beyond the struggle. The solution to life’s down moments is not found in self-pity, distraction, or even human wisdom—it is found only in Jesus Christ.
Perspective Changes Everything
How we perceive our struggles depends on where we are looking. The Bible reminds us:
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18 (NIV)
Even when we are overwhelmed, God is near. He hears our cries and meets us in our darkest moments (READ: Psalm 88:2-3). When you’re down—get UP!
But how? Why does God allow these heart-wrenching seasons in our lives? And what can we, as believers, do when we find ourselves in the depths of despair?
Personal Down Moments: A Story of Redemption
In 1982, I found myself in one of the lowest moments of my life. I lost my job, my wife of eight years left me, our newly purchased house was taken away, and my car was repossessed. Everything I had worked for was gone. I was drowning in anguish and anger.
"Why me?" I asked. "Where was God when I needed Him most?"
Yet, in that season of brokenness, I discovered something profound—God had never left me. His presence had been there all along. I found comfort in Job’s declaration of faith:
“Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.” — Job 13:15 (KJV)
That was my turning point. I stood up, choosing to believe that God was not finished with me yet. Just like Job, I saw how God mercifully redeemed my life and blessed me in ways beyond my wildest dreams.
If you’re in a down moment right now, take heart—God is not done with your story.
Biblical Down Moments & How to Overcome Them
Grief: Looking Beyond the Immediate Crisis
Jesus Himself experienced deep sorrow in the Garden of Gethsemane. He knew the agony of the cross was ahead, and He prayed, asking if there was another way.
Yet, He stood up.
He surrendered to the Father’s will, looking beyond the immediate pain to the joy set before Him—our salvation.
“…For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” — Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)
Like Jesus, when we shift our focus to God’s eternal plan, our current grief fades in the reality of His love, comfort, and future for us (READ: Jeremiah 29:11).
Overwhelming Circumstances: A New Perspective
Feeling overwhelmed can crush our spirits. Moses experienced this firsthand when leading the Israelites. He cried out to God, essentially saying, “Why me? After all I’ve done, why do I have to bear this burden?”
“…Why have You been so hard on Your servant? And why have I not found favor in Your sight, that You have put the burden of all this people on me?” — Numbers 11:11 (NASB)
Moses felt like his efforts were in vain. But God responded with wisdom—and even humor:
“Is the Lord’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not what I say will come true for you!” — Numbers 11:23 (NIV)
In other words, God was never limited in what He could do. When we feel overwhelmed, we must remember: God is bigger than our burdens.
Exhaustion: When Burnout Sets In
Elijah, one of God’s greatest prophets, experienced deep exhaustion after a victorious battle against 450 prophets of Baal. Yet, immediately after this incredible triumph, he fell into despair, telling God:
“I have had enough, Lord. Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” — 1 Kings 19:4 (NIV)
He was physically and emotionally drained. Instead of responding with rebuke, God met Elijah’s needs first—giving him food, rest, and a renewed perspective.
When we are exhausted, we must remember: sometimes the best thing we can do is rest, recharge, and allow God to renew our strength.
Wrong Motives: The Danger of Envy & Bitterness
Cain, the son of Adam, allowed jealousy and resentment to consume him. He compared himself to his brother Abel, thinking, “Why does he get all the approval, and I don’t?”
“…Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?” — Genesis 4:6-7 (NIV)
Unchecked bitterness leads to sin. It clouds our ability to trust God’s plan. Instead of focusing on what others receive, we must fix our eyes on what God is doing in our own lives.
When You’re Down—GET UP!
The biggest challenge in spiritual down moments is our willingness to accept God’s answer, even when it’s not what we expected. But God sees beyond what we can see. He knows the future, and His plans are always for our good (READ: Jeremiah 29:11 again).
TO THINK ABOUT:
What do we dwell on the most during our down moments? (READ: Proverbs 23:7a; Luke 6:45)
Do we allow fear to dictate our actions? List some biblical principles for overcoming fear (READ: Psalm 34:4; Isaiah 44:2).
When life feels overwhelming, how do we respond? (READ: Proverbs 14:14)
Do we struggle with comparing ourselves to others? In what ways can this be helpful or harmful?
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Complete the blanks using the words below to reinforce key takeaways from this lesson.
Word Bank: trust, strength, overwhelmed, grief, bitterness, faith, perspective, promises, future, exhausted
When life feels difficult, we must shift our _________ to God’s plan, not just our circumstances.
Job declared, “Though He slay me, yet will I _______ Him.” (Job 13:15 KJV)
Jesus endured the cross because He looked ahead to the joy of the _________. (Hebrews 12:2)
Feeling _________ can lead to discouragement, but God is bigger than our burdens. (Numbers 11:11-23)
Elijah was _________ after his great victory, but God restored him through rest and renewal. (1 Kings 19:4)
Holding on to _________ can cloud our ability to trust in God’s plan, just as it did for Cain. (Genesis 4:6-7)
God’s _________ never fail, even when we don’t understand His timing. (Jeremiah 29:11)
Instead of letting _________ consume us, we can find comfort in God’s love and sovereignty.
Bonus Challenge:
Write one action step you will take this week when you feel discouraged, based on what you learned today.
Heavenly Father, in my moments of weakness and despair, remind me that You are near, lifting me up with Your unfailing love. When I feel overwhelmed, help me shift my perspective to Your promises, trusting that Your plans for me are always good. Fill my heart with renewed strength, faith, and courage to rise above every trial, knowing that You are working all things for my good. Teach me to seek You first, to stand firm in Your Word, and to walk in the joy and hope that only You can give.
Amen.