When It Seems Like There Is Nothing Left

May 11th, 2023

by Bro. Craig Amenell
05/11/2023

Isaiah 26:3-4 - “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”

Given my vocation, as a registered nurse, I often find myself in what many would deem unfortunate encounters with others. When one’s clientele only visits them when they are at their lowest of low, the conversations are often bleak. One doesn’t make a visit to the hospital when they are feeling grand, most of us only go when we believe it is life or death. After all, who wants to pay a bill like that unless it were to avoid death? If that isn’t drab enough, I haunt the night shift. If anyone ever wants to avoid a place it is usually at night for that is when you are to be asleep in your beds, which the doctors remind us of often as we call them throughout the night.

One would think that such a place would struggle to stay open, sadly the truth is the contrary. Most of the time there are not enough rooms to house all the people that are petitioning to be admitted. At times, law enforcement must be enlisted to haul off those that we can’t convince there is nothing wrong, physically speaking. For the sickest of those lobbying to get a room their request is granted and they make their way to one of the units. At such times they are tucked into a room and, I do believe for the most part, are greeted by nurses that have every intention of doing what they can to help. The sad truth is there are some things that ail the human body that cannot be fixed, the best that can be done is to mask the symptoms and hope for the best.

The individuals that are plagued by such diagnoses would find themselves alone in a room at night if it were not for the company of their wandering thoughts. It may seem like there is hope when the family is around and the doctor is telling you everything that they are trying to do; but when the night comes and you alone are the reason the room is not vacant, all seems lost. What can be said to those that find themselves in this state? “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee.” For the child of God, this is a promise that we could all stand to continually meditate on. For the children of disobedience, they can find no solace in it, yet it does not negate its truth. If they would but turn from their sins toward the Lord Jesus they would find the comfort that this truth brings.

When it seems like there's nothing left, as long as you have Jesus you have everything that you need. If you have been living, thinking there was more that you needed than Jesus, you have been robbing yourself of the peace that can only be had when you are satiated in Him. Only when Jesus is enough can you fully appreciate all He offers you this side of heaven. When you have reached the lowest possible low or are the nearest to death the only thing worth having will be Him.

People often ask nurses, what is the worst or craziest thing you have ever seen? The most horrific things I have witnessed in my tenure at the hospital have been petrified souls racing towards death that want nothing to do with Christ. It is in this same building I have had the privilege of seeing the most beautiful sights, as saints have entered death in peace as their mind was stayed on Him.

Oh Christian, do not reserve the forefront of your mind for all but Christ until you are down and out or at the end. Let Him have the preeminence of your mind and enjoy the peace He brings while you live.