Strength in the Lord When All Seems Lost

1 Samuel 30–31 | Psalm 56:3–4 | Luke 4:18–19

There are days that feel like a slow unraveling, and then there are days when the bottom drops out all at once. Those moments when the loss is sudden, the blow is heavy, and your strength feels like it’s gone before you even have a chance to stand.

During our infertility journey, I’ve experienced more of these moments than I care to county. It’s that feeling where you can’t see the way forward, and even prayer feels like a plea… It’s in those moments I’ve learned that my feelings and my faith can wrestle in the same heart… but only one gets to lead me forward.

In 1 Samuel 30, David returns to find Ziklag burned and his family taken. The men who fought beside him now talk of stoning him. Everything he has worked for, loved, and led is gone in a moment.

But Scripture says:

“David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.” (1 Samuel 30:6)

That one line is where the story pivots. From that place of strength, David seeks God’s counsel, follows His direction, and recovers all that was lost.

By contrast, 1 Samuel 31 tells of Saul’s tragic end: without turning to the Lord, his final chapter is one of despair. It’s a reminder that where we turn in crisis determines the story that follows.

Psalm 56 echoes David’s heart in moments like these:

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid.” (vv. 3–4)

And in Luke 4:18–19, Jesus declares His mission: to bring good news to the poor, freedom for the oppressed, and comfort for the brokenhearted. He is still doing that today.

When the unthinkable happens, we have two choices: collapse under the weight or lean hard into the Lord’s strength. David’s story shows us that the battle is first won in the heart before it’s won on the field.

In moments of sudden loss or deep fear, where do you instinctively turn first?
Take your fear, your grief, and your questions straight to God before you take them anywhere else. Let His promises speak louder than the panic, and trust that His strength is enough to carry you until the path forward is clear.

Lord,
When life blindsides me, help me remember that You are my anchor.
Teach me to run to You first—not as a last resort.
Give me Your strength where mine runs out, and keep my eyes fixed on the hope You bring.
Amen.