Holding on to God When You Feel Like Giving Up

No one begins a journey expecting a detour or anticipating tragedy along the way.

Author Rachel Wojo sure didn’t. She came from a great home. Her mom and dad were Christians who believed in working hard and in raising their children to love God and each other.

When Rachel struck out on her own, she married a guy who had his sights set on Bible college and serving as a youth pastor. Five years into their marriage, however, she discovered that he had been having an affair for four of them.

She then became a single mother to Taylor, her first child, who was born by emergency C-section. Taylor was so deprived of oxygen that she was purple when she was born. The doctors had no clear explanation.

As Taylor grew, she had trouble swallowing, and signs for developmental delays were easily regarded as the result of her oxygen deprivation. Rachel had no clear indication that her daughter was up against something more serious until the day four-year-old Taylor forgot how to put on her socks.

She was diagnosed with Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS). Taylor was missing an enzyme that breaks down long-chain sugar molecules and dispenses with the byproducts. The byproducts then attach themselves to nerves and gradually destroy them. The result is neurological damage.

Rachel was left reeling, and wondering, “How do you cope when you come to a detour or experience tragedy along the road of life?”

Rachel found strength in Bible passages like Psalm 88. The first two verses are a cry for help: “O Lord, God of my salvation, I cry out day and night before you. Let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry!”

In his time of distress, David didn’t sing with joy to the heavens. He poured out his heart in agony over the suffering he endured. Psalm 88 is a call for our authenticity before God.

Not only is it OK to tell God that you’re hurting, confused, or filled with doubt, it’s God’s idea. Only in honesty is there healing.

God has a purpose and a plan in our lives. Sometimes it’s hard to see that this side of heaven. But at any given moment He’s wanting us to learn how to trust Him regardless of our circumstances. Somehow He’s weaving grace through your pain in a way that will make you a stronger as a person and stronger for Him if you’ll follow His lead.

Listen to Rachel Wojo share her story about how to be more centered in your faith and how to allow God to lead you through your suffering.

Join us for “Holding on to God When You Feel Like Giving Up” on your local radio station, online, on iTunes, via Podcast, or on our free phone app, or watch the full program on our YouTube channel.

Rachel Wojo is a Bible teacher, an author, and a blogger who’s passionate about helping people know God more intimately through prayer and Bible study. Rachel has written a powerful book that forms the foundation of our conversation. It’s called One More Step: Finding Strength When You Feel Like Giving Up.

I’d like to offer you Rachel’s book for a gift of any amount. Visit our website or give us a call at 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459). If you can’t afford it, we’ll find a way to get it to you.