Sometimes, life is hard. You find out you owe thousands of dollars in taxes. You have a huge deductible to meet. Your house payment has gone up because of county taxes. Your brother can’t find a job. You’re lonely.

Whatever the cause, there are times when life lays you flat. You feel like you can’t breathe. You’re unexplainably sad. You want to give up. When you feel like that, here’s what to do.

Pray

Praying might seem like an odd choice, especially if you’re a logical person who makes plans and gets things done. It isn’t one. Pause for a moment and pray. Express what you’re feeling to God. He can handle it. He won’t be offended by your doubts or even your anger. David yelled at God, and he was a man after God’s own heart, so it’s okay if you yell or cry. God wants the real you, not the whitewashed one.

Read Your Bible

Once you’ve vented your emotions, turn to the Bible. This step is critical—don’t skip it. Without the Bible, you will base your decisions on emotions instead of truth. You will forget who God is and what he has done because you’ve gotten lost in your pit of misery.

David again serves as an example. He could be in anguish in one verse and praise God in the next. That’s what happens when you’re a person after God’s own heart. God’s words become your own. They visit you and rise to the surface when your spirit is troubled, and you’re about to lose your way. They become water and bread for your soul, a light for your path.

Pray Some More

Now that you’ve gotten some perspective on the situation—no matter how tenuous—pray some more. Ask God to act because of who he is. Claim the promises he gives his children. He does not leave you alone; he will never forsake you. Everything he does is for his glory and your good, even these hard times that seem like they’re never going to end.

Seek Counsel

Next, seek godly counsel. Ask people to pray for you. Invite people into your story. God created you for community, so plug into yours. Let your loved ones carry you when it’s too difficult to walk.

Other counsel may be needed, too, depending on the situation. For example, you may want to find business mentors or a financial advisor. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. People will give it. You just have to ask.

Take Action

Now it’s time to act. You’ve prayed and gotten God’s perspective on your life. You’ve asked for wisdom. Hold your ground. Don’t give the doubts an inch. Fight with your last breath because if there’s anything predictable about life, it’s that you’re going to be tested again and again. So stand firm. Be strong in the Lord and the strength of his might. He’s got this situation under control. More importantly, he’s got you, and he won’t ever, ever let you go.

Image: Emily Elisabeth Photography (Creative Commons)