One is the Loneliest Number...

At times we are on top of the world, full of confidence.  At other times we are too proud to admit failure or weakness. Both are similar in that we tend to think that we can do things all on our own, whether it's because of hubris or fear of embarrassment. When we try to walk alone, without even realizing it, we are straying off the path in our relationship with God.  Rather than trusting in the Lord with thanksgiving for our successes, we often tend to let pride settle in and ignore His presence.  Or if we have an affliction or hardship, we may ask God, "why me?" and wallow in self pity.

At times, I believe God knocks us off our pedestal and confronts us with challenges in order to bring us closer to Him and to make us stronger. Before I truly began following Jesus I tended to turn to Him, more often than not, only when I had problems and was looking for a quick fix - not when things were going great!  Recently, after struggling with a problem for a long time, I discovered that I was trying to handle things - good or bad - on my own and not trusting in the Lord. However, after much frustration and self pity, I finally surrendered myself to God.  I truly believe that God allowed this burden in order for me to strengthen my relationship with Him. Paul discusses this a bit in 2 Corinthians:

"...Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."  Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest upon me.  That is why for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, then I am strong." -- 2 Corinthians 12: 7-10

So if everything in life is sailing along fine and then all of the sudden it feels as if a rug has been pulled out from under you, don't dwell on the negative - God may be trying to get your attention! If you are struggling with a problem, don't bottle it up inside. Try to do what Paul did and accept challenges head on with confidence knowing that you are not alone. God may be calling you back to Him through your weaknesses. He will enable you to turn that negative into a positive through strengthened faith in Him.