But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of power may be of God and not from ourselves. -2 Corinthians 4:7
Often we may find ourselves at a point where our circumstances seem to say to us that there is no way out of a predicament. We sometimes call that being "at our wit's end." Others may say, "I am at the end of my rope."
Have you ever been at that place? Even more so, are you there today? If you are, be encouraged. The Apostle Paul essentially said the same thing in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 when he said, "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed." However, he went on to essentially say that he could face these things and not be crushed because he knew that God was bringing himself to the end of his strength so that he could get out of God's way and allow His "surpassing greatness of power to work in me."
Debbie, my wife, and I were talking the other day about how God brings many believers to their "wit's end" for the same aforementioned purpose. At that point, Debbie shared with me a poem written by Antoinette Wilson. It is entitled, "Wits' End Corner."
Are you standing at Wits' End Corner
Christian, with troubled brow?
Are you thinking of what is before you
And all you are bearing now?
Does all the world seem against you,
And you in battle alone?
Remember - at Wits' End Corner
Is just where God's power is shown.
Are you standing at Wits' End Corner,
Blinded with wearying pain,
Feeling you cannot endure it,
You cannot bear the strain,
Bruised through the constant suffering,
Dizzy and dazed and dumb?
Remember - to Wits' End Corner
Is where Jesus loves to come.
Are you standing at Wits' End Corner,
Your work before you spread,
All lying, begun, unfinished
And pressing on heart and head,
Longing for strength to do it,
Stretching out trembling hands?
Remember - at Wits' End Corner
The burden Bearer stands
Are you standing at Wits' End Corner
Yearning for those you love,
Longing and praying and watching,
Pleading their cause above,
Trying to lead them to Jesus,
Won'ring if you've been true?
He whispers - at Wits' End Corner
"I'll win them as I won you."
Are you standing at Wits' End Corner
Then you're just in the very spot
To learn the wondrous resources
Of him who faileth not!
No doubt to a brighter pathway
Your footsteps will soon be moved,
But only at Wits' End Corner
Is the God who is able "proved."
Oswald Chambers once said, "God comes in where my helplessness begins."
Remember, when you reach your wit's end, God is waiting in the wing, ready to take over and "prove" the surpassing greatness of His power in your life... and He will. Just believe it.