2024 The Best Worst Year of Life
Learning to Live When Your World Falls Apart
As I sit down to write this newsletter, I find myself reflecting on the most tumultuous year I had to navigate. 2024 was a year filled with challenges that tested my fortitude, faith, and my purpose for living.
Yet, through each trial, I discovered an inner strength I never knew I possessed and experienced a profound spiritual awakening that has forever changed my life.
Trials At Every Turn
Trial #1 - Facing Death
I was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness in the autumn of 2023 which continued to wreak havoc on my physical body through January 2024. Throughout this time my body was wracked with pain making it unbearable to perform the simplest of life’s tasks.
This trial became exponentially worse when I was given the news that I would likely die within 30 days. The infection was not responding to any treatment tried by my medical team. Each day that passed I got worse, not better.
My team reached out to the top specialists in Western Michigan and developed a combination of medications that finally cured the illness.
I had my life back, but little did I know, my trials were far from over.
Trial #2 - Prolonged Unemployment
My unemployment, which began in August 2023, continued throughout 2024. Throughout the year I gratefully secured some contracting work. Yet, I remained in desperate need of gainful employment.
I was like a ship lost at sea. My life’s purpose was crumbling around me. I became more lost as I would face new challenges at every turn.
Research has shown that the longer a person is unemployed, the less time they spend searching for jobs, the fewer applications they submit, and the less likely they are to be called for interviews. This disheartening cycle threatened to pull me into a downward spiral of despair and financial ruin.
Trial #3 - Financial Crisis
The domino effect of prolonged unemployment led to a severe financial crisis. By the end of February 2024 I found myself bankrupt. I pulled money from my retirement account In order to support myself while unemployed. The critical illness I battled made it impossible to search for a new role. Having no source of income caused accelerated the depletion of my financial buffer.
I was flat broke.
Bills began to pile up, and I found myself unable to meet even basic financial obligations. I quickly learned that every aspect of life is tied to money. It is the one thing we must possess to sustain our lives. I have been poor before but always would find a way to a resolution.
I was beyond poor. I was destitute and saw the house of cards I had so carefully built crumble right before my eyes. Suddenly words like homeless, repossession, and shutoff could quickly become reality.
Trial #4 - Daily Conversations with Collection Agencies
The expected result of becoming delinquent in multiple areas is a sudden onslaught of calls multiple times a day from collection agents. These calls compound an already bad situation. I did not have enough money for my basic necessities.
I did not have the financial resources to pay them anything. It did not matter if the agent offered to settle for a reduced rate. Any offer required money. That was the one thing I did not have.
Trial #5 - Vehicle Collision
As if the year hadn't thrown enough challenges my way, I was involved in an auto collision causing damage to the front end of my vehicle. Just weeks prior, in an effort to lower my auto insurance premium, I increased the out of pocket deductible from $500 to $1000.
A $1000 I did not have.
The Relentless Nature of Trials
Throughout 2024, it seemed that as soon as one problem was resolved, another would take its place. This relentless cycle of challenges left me in a constant state of feeling being drowned by life. There were moments when I felt overwhelmed, questioning if I had the strength to continue.
I was beginning to feel my life was akin to Job from the Bible. Job went through a season of facing extraordinary trials at every turn. My trial does not compare to the pain of Job’s trials as he, quite literally, lost everything, including the lives of his entire family.
I began to understand the truth in the words of James chapter 1, verses 2 through 4, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
The Turning Point
In the Silence God Speaks
Amidst the chaos and despair, I began to feel a subtle but persistent presence guiding me. It was in the quietest moments, when I felt most alone, that I sensed the gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit. This divine guidance became my compass, helping me navigate the stormy waters of my life.
As I opened myself to this spiritual influence, I found a sense of peace that transcended my circumstances. It wasn't a dramatic, instantaneous change, but a gradual shift in perspective that allowed me to see beyond my immediate struggles.
Finally Home
The spiritual awakening I experienced led me back to the faith I had once known but had drifted away from. I found myself drawn to a local church, seeking the comfort and support of a faith community. This return to fellowship marked a significant turning point in my journey.
Within the church, I discovered a support system that extended beyond spiritual matters. Fellow believers offered practical help, emotional support, and a sense of belonging that I had been missing. Their acceptance and love became a balm for the wounds of rejection I had experienced.
Lessons in the Fire
Never Blaming God for Trials
Throughout my ordeal, I made a conscious decision not to blame God for my trials. Instead, I chose to see these challenges as opportunities for growth and refinement. This perspective shift was crucial in maintaining my faith and finding purpose in my pain.
As the Bible teaches in Romans chapter 8, verse 28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." This verse became a source of comfort and hope, reminding me that even in the darkest times, God was working for my ultimate good.
Tenacious Trust in God
Terrifying Trust
Throughout the year, there were several moments when disaster seemed imminent. Whether it was a looming eviction, a critical health scare, or a legal threat, I often found myself teetering on the edge of catastrophe. These moments tested my faith to its limits, pushing me to rely entirely on God's provision and timing.
God Was Not Worried
Time and again, just when things seemed bleakest, I witnessed what I can only describe as divine intervention. Solutions would appear at the last moment, often in ways I could never have anticipated. An unexpected job offer would come through just as my savings were depleted. A medical treatment would show surprising effectiveness when all hope seemed lost. A compassionate landlord would offer an extension when eviction loomed.
These experiences reinforced my faith in God's perfect timing and planning. I learned to trust that even when I couldn't see a way forward, God was working behind the scenes, orchestrating events for my benefit.
The Transformation
Understanding God’s Plan is GOOD; Watching God Execute the Plan is EPIC!
One of the most profound changes I experienced was the shift from an intellectual understanding of faith to a deeply personal, experiential trust in God. Before 2024, my faith was largely theoretical, based on what I had been taught and what I believed to be true. However, as I navigated through my trials, this faith was put to the test and I was able to physically see God providing for my every need.
I found myself living out the words of Proverbs chapter 3, verses 5 and 6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." This trust became not just a concept, but a lived reality that sustained me through my darkest hours.
Worry Replaced With Peace
As I look back on 2024, I am amazed at how clearly I can now see God's hand at work in my life. What once seemed like a series of random, unfortunate events now appears as a carefully orchestrated journey of growth and transformation.
I witnessed miracles both big and small – from unexpected financial provision to healing that defied medical explanation. These experiences have forever changed how I view the world and my place in it. I now walk through life with a heightened awareness of God's presence and a deeper appreciation for His constant care.
I truly understand the meaning of Philippians chapter 4 verse 7 when it says “the peace of God, which goes beyond what we can understand, will guard your heart and mind”.
Conclusion
As I conclude this newsletter, I find myself filled with a mix of emotions. The pain and struggles of 2024 are still fresh in my memory, and I don't wish to minimize the very real hardships I faced. However, I also feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the growth and transformation that occurred through these trials.
I've learned that trials, while painful, can be incredibly valuable teachers. They've taught me resourcefulness, helping me find creative solutions when resources were scarce. They've forced me to prioritize what truly matters in life, stripping away the non-essentials and focusing on what's truly important.
Most importantly, these trials have deepened my faith and my relationship with God. They've taught me to trust not just in good times, but especially in difficult times. As it says in First Thessalonians chapter 5, verse 17, I've learned to "never stop praying," making communication with God a constant part of my daily life.
To those of you who may be facing your own trials, I want to offer encouragement. Remember that you are stronger than you know, and that growth often comes through adversity. Don't be afraid to lean on others for support, and always keep your heart open to the lessons that can be learned through hardship.
As we begin a new year, I carry with me the strength, wisdom, and faith that were forged in the fires of 2024. While I don't know what challenges the future may hold, I face them with a renewed sense of purpose and an unshakeable trust in God's plan for my life.
Thank you for allowing me to share my journey with you. May my story serve as a reminder that even in our darkest moments, there is always hope, and that with faith and perseverance, we can emerge from our trials stronger and with more confidence than ever before.
