We all know what it means to come apart. Nothing is more embarrassing than to wear a garment and notice it is coming apart at the seams, and you’re not at home! Coming apart can also be very scary if you’re on a boat, and it’s coming apart. We have all had times when the world felt upside down and we were not sure what the next move should be. I remember when America was attacked on 9-11. No one seemed to know what was going on. Everyone scurried to call loved ones to make sure they were ok. My family was scattered across the United States and in another country. People were frantic, but even in that, there were those who did not fall apart. Why? Because long before the tragedy came preparation was made. The strength to handle the circumstances was gained through spending time with the one who was truly in control.
Jesus gives us a great example of what to do to keep from falling apart. In Matthew 14, John had just been executed by Herod. Jesus leaves the multitude. He probably left for safety, but I think he also was mourning the loss of John. However, the multitude follows Him, and at the end of the day, he was exhausted. He then goes up the mountain to get away from the crowd to pray. He needed to spend time with His father. He was God, but he was also a man, and he needed to pray.
Matthew 14:23 “And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening came, he was there alone.”
When Jesus faced the agony of death, the betrayal of friends, and followers, he prayed. He got alone with God His Father. When there are no answers to our situation that seem visible to us, we need to get alone with God. We gain strength and perspective when we seek the one who knows all. When he went to the garden, he told his disciples to pray, then He went a little further to pray by Himself. No one will understand you like God. The agony Jesus felt could not be understood by His disciples, but God understood.
Luke 22:40-44 “And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”
When we feel like we are coming apart we need to go to God and search our hearts. Sometimes we are not even honest with ourselves about our situation, but if we will allow God to reveal our hearts to us, we will see the reasons for some things.
Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
The only way to hold it together when you feel you’re coming apart is to come apart from everyone else and get alone with God. In times of sorrow, testing, or pure exhaustion, we must go to the source of strength, wisdom, and understanding. Sometimes we just need to pour out our heart to God knowing and trusting that He hears, understands, and will work on our behalf. Nothing you will ever face will catch God by surprise. Don’t come apart, just come apart to Him.
