Your business is barely holding on. Meanwhile, your marriage feels like it’s hanging by a thread. Additionally, your kids won’t listen to anything you say. The house needs repairs you can’t afford. Furthermore, you’re two months behind on the mortgage. And just when you think it can’t get worse, your car breaks down in the middle of rush hour.
You’re not imagining it—everything really is falling apart at the same time.
I’ve pastored long enough to know this isn’t unusual. In fact, there are seasons in life when troubles don’t come one at a time like polite dinner guests. Instead, they show up all at once like a mob, kicking down your door and demanding attention simultaneously.
If that’s where you are right now, I want you to know something: You’re not being punished. You’re not cursed. Moreover, God hasn’t abandoned you. However, you are in what I call a “refining fire season,” and while it feels unbearable, there’s a way through it.
Let me show you how to survive when life won’t stop throwing punches.
The Reality of “Everything at Once” Seasons
Here’s what nobody tells you about faith: believing in God doesn’t mean you get to skip the hard parts. Indeed, sometimes it feels like the opposite. You give your life to Christ, start doing things right, and suddenly everything goes sideways.
Why does this happen? Honestly, there are several reasons:
First, we live in a broken world. Remember, sin didn’t just corrupt humanity—it corrupted everything. Consequently, cars break, businesses fail, bodies get sick, and relationships struggle. That’s not God attacking you; rather, it’s the result of living in a fallen creation that’s groaning for redemption (Romans 8:22).
Second, the enemy sees you as a threat. If you’re genuinely pursuing God, you’ve got a target on your back. The devil doesn’t waste ammunition on people who aren’t dangerous to his kingdom. Nevertheless, when you’re making a difference for Christ, expect resistance. Peter warns us that our adversary “prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
Third, God sometimes allows pressure to produce something in you. Think about it: diamonds form under extreme pressure. Similarly, gold gets purified in fire. Furthermore, muscles grow through resistance. God isn’t trying to break you—He’s trying to build something in you that can only develop through difficulty.
Fourth, sometimes it’s just life. Not everything has a spiritual reason. Sometimes your car breaks down because it’s old and you drive it too much. Occasionally, things just happen in a fallen world, and multiple problems can overlap purely by circumstance.
Let Me Tell You About Marcus
About seven years ago, a man named Marcus sat in my office with his head in his hands. Within a six-month span, he’d lost his job when his company downsized, his wife filed for divorce, his teenage son got arrested for drug possession, his father had a stroke, and he received a letter saying the IRS was auditing him for the past three years.
“Pastor,” he said, “I don’t know how much more I can take. I pray every morning and every night. I read my Bible. I serve in the church. But God feels a million miles away, and I’m drowning. Where is He? Why won’t He help me?”
I could see the exhaustion in his eyes—not just physical tiredness, but soul-deep weariness. Nevertheless, he was still showing up, still asking questions, still fighting to keep his faith intact.
That conversation changed both of us. What I told Marcus that day is what I want to tell you now.
What Scripture Says When Everything Falls Apart
The Bible doesn’t sugarcoat the reality of overwhelming seasons. In fact, it’s full of people who faced multiple crises simultaneously. Let’s look at what God says about these moments:
You’re Not Alone in This
“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.” – Psalm 34:19
Notice it doesn’t say “few” afflictions or “occasional” afflictions. Rather, it says many. Moreover, David—the man after God’s own heart—wrote this. Consequently, if you’re facing multiple problems, you’re in biblical company.
Job lost his children, his wealth, his health, and his reputation all at once. David was hunted like an animal while dealing with family betrayal and national crisis. Furthermore, Paul lists his hardships in 2 Corinthians 11: beatings, shipwrecks, hunger, danger, sleepless nights—the list goes on.
These weren’t casual believers. Rather, they were God’s chosen servants, and they got hammered from every direction.
God Promises His Presence
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” – Psalm 46:1
Notice what this verse doesn’t say. It doesn’t promise God will immediately fix everything. Instead, it promises He’ll be present in your trouble. That might not sound like much when you’re drowning in bills and chaos, but it’s everything.
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10
When everything is falling apart, God’s presence is your lifeline. Moreover, He’s not watching from a distance—He’s right there with you, holding you up when you can’t stand on your own.
You’re Stronger Than You Think
“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” – 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
Paul’s describing exactly what you’re experiencing: afflicted in every way. However, notice the “but not” statements. Pressed, but not crushed. Confused, but not hopeless. Hit from all sides, but still standing.
You’re tougher than you realize. Indeed, the fact that you’re still here, still reading this, still fighting—that’s evidence of God’s grace sustaining you.
Your Needs Will Be Met
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19
Notice it says “every need,” not “every want.” God promises to provide what you need to survive, even when you can’t see how it’s possible. Furthermore, He owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10). Your crisis doesn’t catch Him off guard or exceed His resources.
“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” – Matthew 6:31-33
Jesus addressed exactly what you’re facing: basic survival anxiety. Nevertheless, He reminds us that God knows what we need and will provide it as we keep Him first.
This Season Has Purpose
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” – James 1:2-4
I know—when you’re behind on rent and your marriage is crumbling, “count it all joy” sounds insane. However, James isn’t saying to pretend you’re happy about suffering. Rather, he’s saying to recognize that this trial is producing something valuable in you: steadfastness, completeness, maturity.
Furthermore, Romans 5:3-5 tells us that “suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame.”
Your current crisis is developing something in you that can’t be built any other way.
Practical Steps When You’re Overwhelmed
Theology is important, but you also need practical handles when you’re drowning. Here’s what I’ve learned from forty years of ministry and from walking through my own overwhelming seasons:
1. Prioritize Ruthlessly
When everything is urgent, you have to make hard choices about what gets attention first. Think of it like triage in an emergency room—doctors don’t treat everyone equally; they help the dying first, then the seriously injured, then the walking wounded.
Ask yourself: What will cause the most damage if I ignore it today? That’s your priority. Additionally, what can wait until tomorrow without catastrophic consequences? Let it wait.
You can’t fix everything simultaneously. Therefore, pick your battles and focus your limited energy where it matters most.
2. Take It One Day at a Time
Jesus said, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:34).
When you’re overwhelmed, looking at the whole mountain of problems will paralyze you. Instead, break it down: What’s the one thing I need to handle today? Do that. Then wake up tomorrow and ask the same question.
Marcus told me later that this single principle saved his sanity. Moreover, he stopped trying to solve six months’ worth of problems on Tuesday afternoon and just focused on surviving Tuesday.
3. Ask for Help
Pride will kill you in overwhelming seasons. Specifically, trying to handle everything alone because you don’t want to appear weak or needy will crush you.
The church exists to carry one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). Indeed, when you’re drowning, it’s okay to yell for help. Furthermore, people want to help—they just don’t know you need it unless you tell them.
Call your pastor. Reach out to trusted friends. Additionally, talk to your small group. Let people bring you meals, help with childcare, give you job leads, pray with you, or just sit with you while you cry.
4. Protect Your Marriage
If you’re married, understand this: crisis either forges your marriage into something stronger or drives a wedge between you. Consequently, you and your spouse must choose to be a team, not adversaries.
When everything is falling apart, it’s easy to blame each other. Don’t. Instead, face your problems together as a united front. Furthermore, crisis reveals what’s already there—if your marriage has cracks, pressure will widen them. Therefore, fight for your relationship even while you’re fighting your circumstances.
Pray together, even if it’s just two minutes before bed. Moreover, give each other grace when you’re both exhausted and irritable. Additionally, remind yourselves that you’re on the same side.
5. Guard Your Mind
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7
Your thought life will determine whether you survive this season with your faith intact. Indeed, anxiety is natural, but ruminating on worst-case scenarios will paralyze you.
Here’s what works: Every time you feel panic rising, stop and pray. Specifically, tell God exactly what you’re afraid of. Furthermore, thank Him for three things, even if they’re small. Then ask for what you need.
This practice shifts your focus from the problem to the Problem-Solver.
6. Don’t Make Major Decisions in Crisis
When you’re exhausted, scared, and overwhelmed, your judgment is compromised. Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, avoid making life-altering decisions during crisis seasons.
Don’t quit your marriage. Don’t walk away from your faith. Don’t make impulsive financial choices. Instead, survive the storm first, then make decisions when you can think clearly.
7. Remember Past Faithfulness
“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” – Psalm 121:1-2
Look back at your life. Moreover, remember other hard seasons you’ve survived. Furthermore, recall times when God provided, protected, or came through for you in unexpected ways.
Your history with God is evidence of His faithfulness. Indeed, if He carried you through past valleys, He’ll carry you through this one too.
Marcus’s Story, Continued
Remember Marcus? Here’s what happened over the next eighteen months:
The job situation resolved first—a friend from church connected him with a position that actually paid better than his old job. However, the divorce went through, which broke his heart. Nevertheless, his ex-wife later admitted she’d been having an affair long before the financial crisis hit, so the money problems didn’t cause the divorce; rather, they just revealed what was already broken.
His son spent sixty days in a juvenile facility, but that experience became the wake-up call the kid needed. Today, he’s sober, has a steady job, and is rebuilding his relationship with his father. Additionally, Marcus’s dad recovered from the stroke with minimal lasting effects.
The IRS audit? Turned out to be routine, and he actually got a small refund.
But here’s what Marcus told me recently that stuck with me: “Pastor, I wouldn’t wish that season on anyone. Nevertheless, looking back, I see God’s fingerprints everywhere. Moreover, He was closer to me during those dark months than He’d ever been during the comfortable years. Furthermore, I learned who I really was and what I was made of. That season didn’t break me—it refined me.”
That’s the testimony of someone who went through the fire and came out stronger.
When You Can’t See the Way Forward
Maybe you’re reading this and thinking, “That’s great for Marcus, but I’m still in the middle of my nightmare, and I don’t see any light.”
I get it. Moreover, I believe you. However, let me remind you of a few truths:
This season is temporary. It feels permanent, but it’s not. Eventually, something will shift. Furthermore, circumstances change. Problems resolve. New opportunities appear. Hold on.
You’re not disqualified. Your struggles don’t mean you’re a failure or that God is disappointed in you. Indeed, some of God’s greatest servants endured crushing seasons. Additionally, your willingness to keep fighting honors God more than you know.
God is working behind the scenes. Just because you can’t see what He’s doing doesn’t mean nothing is happening. Remember, Joseph spent years in prison before God elevated him to second-in-command of Egypt. Similarly, David was anointed as king but spent years hiding in caves. God was working the entire time.
Your breakthrough is coming. I don’t know when, and I can’t promise it will look like you expect. Nevertheless, God is faithful, and He doesn’t abandon His children. The psalmist says, “I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread” (Psalm 37:25).
The Choice You Face
Here’s the reality: You can’t control what’s happening to you right now. However, you can control how you respond.
You can become bitter, angry, and hard. Alternatively, you can become better, stronger, and more dependent on God. Indeed, crisis reveals who we are and what we’re made of. Moreover, it offers a choice: Will you trust God when nothing makes sense?
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
Your circumstances are beyond your understanding right now. Nevertheless, God’s got this. Furthermore, He sees what you can’t see. Additionally, He knows what you don’t know. And ultimately, He’s working everything together for your good (Romans 8:28).
A Word of Hope
If you’re in an overwhelming season right now, I want you to hear this clearly: You’re going to make it.
Not because you’re strong enough—you’re probably not. Instead, you’ll make it because God is strong enough. Moreover, His grace is sufficient for you, and His power is made perfect in your weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Keep showing up. Keep praying, even when it feels like your prayers hit the ceiling. Additionally, keep reading your Bible, even if you can’t concentrate. Furthermore, keep going to church, even when you don’t feel like it. Keep taking the next right step, even when you can’t see ten steps ahead.
One day—maybe sooner than you think—you’ll look back on this season and see God’s faithfulness woven through every dark moment. Furthermore, you’ll have a testimony that encourages someone else who’s drowning. Additionally, you’ll understand what Paul meant when he said God “comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Corinthians 1:4).
This valley you’re walking through? It’s not your destination. Rather, it’s a passage, and God is walking through it with you.
Hold on. The dawn is coming.
“Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” – Psalm 55:22
FAQ: Common Questions When Everything Hits at Once
Q: How do I know if I’m supposed to fight or just accept this situation? A: Fight what you can change, accept what you can’t, and pray for wisdom to know the difference. Specifically, if you can take action to improve the situation, do it. However, if it’s beyond your control, release it to God and focus on what you can influence.
Q: Is it okay to feel angry at God? A: Yes. God can handle your emotions. Indeed, David, Jeremiah, Job, and others in Scripture expressed anger and frustration to God. Nevertheless, bring that anger to Him rather than letting it fester or drive you away from Him. Honest prayer is better than polite distance.
Q: Should I keep tithing when I can barely pay my bills? A: This is between you and God. However, I’ve watched countless people experience provision when they honored God first, even in crisis. Moreover, Malachi 3:10 promises God will “open the windows of heaven” for those who bring Him the tithe. Nevertheless, talk to your pastor if you’re genuinely struggling—the church can help.
Q: What if my marriage doesn’t survive this crisis? A: Fight for it with everything you have. Seek counseling. Pray together. Additionally, be honest about the state of your relationship. However, if your spouse chooses to leave despite your efforts, know that God can redeem even that pain. Furthermore, He specializes in restoration and new beginnings.
Q: How long will this season last? A: I wish I could tell you. Indeed, some overwhelming seasons last weeks, others last years. Nevertheless, they all end eventually. Moreover, God promises that “weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning” (Psalm 30:5). Hold on for your morning.