When Life Unravels—Finding Hope in God’s Faithfulness

I know, sometimes things go awry. Yes, at times, horribly. A beloved wife or husband falls asleep; a word ill-spoken you wish you could take back; a friend decides you no longer should be a part of their circle of friends. Your beloved pet dies, or you are told you are no longer needed at your job. Many things in this life can press hard against the soul—

We want to remind ourselves that we do have an enemy, referred to as the devil. He has many names and designations, yet one, Satan, means: “adversary,” “accuser,” or “one who opposes.” He opposes us at every turn. If you are a Christian, his aim is for you to grovel in misery and eliminate you from the battle. Yep, I did say battle. The devil is a thief, a killer and a destroyer. If you are not yet a Christian, he will use every means to hinder you from the reality that Jesus Christ died for you and God loves you more than you’ll ever know.

So, we’re not wrestling against flesh and blood, or against people, although at times it might seem so. There are spiritual forces at work all around us. (I perceived that even before I became a Christian.) Further, this malevolent being wants to divide friends, families, cities, and countries from one another—but most of all—from the love of God and the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.

Yet even when everything seems to shatter, as if we’ve been struck by lightning, God has not forgotten us. He has not stepped away or turned his face aside.

Jesus tells us, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Those aren’t the words of someone distant—they’re the words of the one who knew pain, experienced loss, and still rose to promise victory. Yahweh sees the moments when your heart breaks, when losses pile up, and when the future feels uncertain. And he watches over your coming and going—not just today, but forever.

So, when things go awry—when grief enters, the dearly beloved die, or friendships shift, when the path ahead suddenly narrows—we steady ourselves on what is unshakeable. We hold on. We take one day at a time. We turn to the words God has spoken. We pray. We let his promises settle our breathing and clear the fog from our thoughts. And let’s keep in mind that soon, very soon, sooner than we even imagine, a day is coming when all men and women who look to God will live in a creation that is no longer twisted from our Creator’s original intent. As David said, under great stress:

“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” (Psalm 27: 13-14)

Gratitude
Anthony Barbera
11-11-25