Lately, life has been throwing a lot my way—some of it unpleasant, much of it overwhelming. And through it all, I’ve often feared that one final thing—that infamous straw that breaks the camel’s back.
Interestingly, that breaking straw isn’t usually heavier or more intense than the others. It’s just that by the time it lands, the camel’s back has already weakened from the weight of all the others before it.
But this post isn’t about camels or straws.
It’s a gentle reminder that breakdowns or meltdowns are often not triggered by a single spectacular event. More often than not, it’s the accumulation of small, seemingly manageable stressors—recurring situations that quietly wear us down over time. Then one day, something snaps, and we find ourselves unable to carry on like we used to.
I remember in medical school, we were taught the World Health Organization’s definition of health: a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. This definition, penned in 1948, remains deeply relevant today.
Mental health is essential—and it deserves our attention.
Whenever I feel like I’m at my limit, I turn to a verse from Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians:
“We’ve been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we’re not demoralized;
we’re not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do;
we’ve been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn’t left our side;
we’ve been thrown down, but we haven’t broken.”
—2 Corinthians 4:8–9 (MSG)
And perhaps even more comforting is how he closes the chapter:
“These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us.”
—2 Corinthians 4:17 (MSG)
So if it feels like your camel’s back is about to snap from all the straws—it’s okay. You’re not alone. And this isn’t the end.
Hold on. Better days are ahead. Joy is coming. Joy is Here.
Take a moment this weekend to pause, breathe, and check in with yourself. Talk to someone if you need to. Rest if you must. Refill your cup.
To me, and to you: stay strong.
Have an amazing weekend.
FOLLOW US ON:
8 thoughts on “THE LAST STRAW”
Joy is coming. Joy is here.
These hard times are mere small potatoes compared to the coming good times.
I AM NOT ALONE
I have decided to choose joy daily because happiness is not a destination, it’s a choice. Thanks for sharing.
This isn’t the end
Thanks for sharing, it’s indeed impactful. We might be going through a lot, and nobody knows about it, and we might be judged without being heard. Life is full of ups and downs but in all, we are more than conquerors
I needed this today. Thanks Samuel
Refreshing!
It is what it is. It is the way the world and its human inhabitants are wired. So when times like this come our way, all we need to do is to dig dip into the inner recesses of our minds, hang in there and hope. Fortunately hope is a good thing. And those times will always pass hearlding a new dawn. Finally trusting and having faith in God during those moments is essential and a soothing balm with a calming effect. So really we are never alone. So like the popular saying “ when life throws lemon at you, make lemonades out of them. Continue to move.