My last post, on “Overcoming Trials: The Harder I Row,” reminded me of a time when I rowed until I felt I could row no more. In my weakness the Lord made His strength known. I learned that God’s grace really is sufficient.

It was during the period when I was dying on the inside because of the stress in our marriage. Emotionally and spiritually I was at the end of myself. I felt I could not go on like that and survive.

Stress led to serious health problems. One physical challenge was headaches that were often debilitating.

One evening, after a difficult day at work, my soul was low and my head was throbbing. It was time to prepare supper and I couldn’t do it. I stood in the kitchen and looked around me, hopeless. The pain in my head blocked my ability to think what to do.

I dragged myself back to the bedroom, crumpled beside the bed, laid my head on my arms, and wept. I told God, “I can’t do this.  I don’t know how to go on. I can’t do it anymore.”

I thought of our four children. They depended on me, but finances were tight. Eating out was not an option. I felt like I was letting my family down. Guilt threatened, but I pushed back with, “God, I can’t. I can’t do it.”

I had nothing left with which to struggle. I surrendered and rested in Him.

I don’t know how long I stayed there, but my heart cry changed to one of asking Him to help me, to show me how to keep going. To heal my headache and take my pain. To be my strength in the midst of my weakness.

As I knelt beside my bed, I was transported. My heavenly Father reached down with His strong, loving arms, and He picked me up. He held me close, and I lay my head on His shoulder

He didn’t say anything. He just held me. In that warm embrace, His love, tenderness, strength, and life encircled and infused me as if I were one with Him. I drank of God’s love, strength, and peace, and I gained the grace to go on.

Then I rose, went to the kitchen, and prepared supper for the family. My headache didn’t leave. It didn’t even get better. The pain continued and so did the relational turmoil.

But I wasn’t alone. Consequently, I had peace in the midst of the storm.

I also had strength and grace to keep going.

The Lord doesn’t always calm the storm around us. Sometimes the tempest continues to rage, but if we surrender and cry out to Him, He will get in the boat with us. The Lord will provide the grace and strength for us to endure.

I learned more of the Lord and His love and goodness in that intimate encounter than if He had taken my headache from me and miraculously stilled the storms around me.

Life is filled with trials. But we are never alone. Jesus promised that He will not leave us or forsake us (Heb. 13:5).

Our God is faithful. We can depend on Him.

We don’t have to fear the waves of adversity. We can trust in Him.

He will sustain us through the storms.

His grace is sufficient.

How has the Lord met you when you were at the end of your strength?