Have you ever felt that you were at the end of the road? Feel like you were down to your last?
Have you ever felt you were at your financial worst? Have you thought, “My life seems hopeless,” or “I’m at a dead end”? Well, you are not alone.
It’s easy to give up or shut down when money becomes absent. It’s hard to figure out how you are going to make ends meet. You may even feel ashamed or that it’s your fault. This is a common experience during long recessions or slow recoveries from a weak economy.
When the situation is out of your control, remember that God still is in control.
The positive approach is to look at what you do have. Focusing on all the things that are gone will escalate the negative feelings. Helping others remains rewarding. Being willing to help someone else when you don’t feel you have much still is a noble act.
God does care about us even when we are at our lowest. Faith in God still works. He will help you as you help others.
The Bible tells of a similar time of famine and despair. A famine in Bible days represented hardships, death and dying. The story, found in 1 Kings 17, offers encouragement to those experiencing long, difficult times.
In the story, a widow who had a son was in a low state and planned their last meal. Only two sticks were gathered, indicating there was not a lot to cook. She even thought of her and her son’s death.
But God had another plan for them.
He commanded the widow to feed His prophet, Elijah. Verse 15 says, “The widow woman went and did according to the saying of Elijah. And she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.” Verse 16 reveals the miracle that followed as she gave what she had: “And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah.”
What a wonderful miracle — God sustained her food supply. What a faithful God.
God still works miracles, and faith in God still works. When we obey His word and trust Him beyond our circumstance, we will make it. God will sustain us.
The woman had a handful of meal and a little oil to cook with. Her relationship with God kept her going. Her faith in God helped her to believe. Her trust in the words of the prophet Elijah caused her to act upon his words. She found out that a little can go a long way.
It’s not what you have that brings the miracle you need. Believe God to make it enough.

Ayala is pastor of Christ Tabernacle of Faith Church and a member of the United Ministerial Alliance.