Wit's End

Having Nothing, Possessing Everything

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Why Wit’s End?

January 5, 2015 by Melissa Kruger

I like for names to have meaning, so I thought I’d begin by explaining a bit of my journey with Wit’s End. When my husband was a PhD student at the University of Edinburgh, he studied in a graduate office aptly called, “Wit’s End”. I thought it was the ideal name for a place of study for students as they delved into the minutia that accompanies any type of dissertation work. While he was at his wit’s end studying, I found myself at the end of my rope for an entirely different reason. Living abroad was exciting (for the first month), but it was also lonely, humbling, and challenging for me in ways I hadn’t expected.

aWits End

I figured that if I was struggling so much, I must be doing something wrong. In many ways, I viewed being at my wit’s end as a sign of weakness or failure, evidence that my life was spinning out of control.  Somehow, I missed that this phrase originates from the book I hold most dear:

 Psalm 107:23-31

“23 Others went out on the sea in ships;
they were merchants on the mighty waters.
24 They saw the works of the LORD,
his wonderful deeds in the deep.

25 For he spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted high the waves.

26 They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths;
in their peril their courage melted away.
27 They reeled and staggered like drunken men;
they were at their wits’ end.

28 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,
and he brought them out of their distress.
29 He stilled the storm to a whisper;
the waves of the sea were hushed.

30 They were glad when it grew calm,
and he guided them to their desired haven.
31 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for men.

God brought the storm… to reveal the need…to rescue His people
so that they would rejoice in their redemption.

Slowly I am learning that being at my wit’s end isn’t really the end of a thing, but the beginning. The end of thinking I can rescue myself is the beginning of crying out to the Lord for deliverance. The most secure place might just be at the end of my rope, clinging to Jesus, watching Him calm what I cannot control.

My weakest moments serve as faithful reminders that without God I have nothing and with Him I have everything. He speaks, He stirs, He stills, He guides. Every path chosen for me is directed towards bringing me safely home. Wit’s End is the place from which I hope to reflect, remember, and rejoice. I’m thankful you’re here and I hope you’ll pull up a chair and join me for a chat.

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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: psalm 107, rescue, weakness, wits end

Comments

  1. Christina says

    January 5, 2015 at 7:03 am

    Excited that you are blogging! Love the name and agree that wits end is a good place to be. Blessings!

    • Melissa Kruger says

      January 5, 2015 at 7:31 am

      Thanks Christina! I’m looking forward to having you as a guest blogger soon!

  2. Shanna says

    January 5, 2015 at 8:14 am

    Love the name and can not wait to hear more.

  3. Kelli R says

    January 5, 2015 at 8:35 am

    Love this Melissa! Thanks for sharing yourself in this way. I’m excited to read more, over cups and cups of proper British tea, of course 🙂

    • Melissa Kruger says

      January 5, 2015 at 8:46 am

      I’ll be having my morning cuppa tea on the other side of the ocean with you. And, I’ll be hoping we can meet together in Cambridge sometime soon!

  4. Katherine A. says

    January 5, 2015 at 8:43 am

    Wahoo!!! Very exciting!

    Subscribing now …

  5. Eowyn says

    January 5, 2015 at 10:23 am

    Congratulations, Melissa! This is a big step! Praying God uses this for his Glory in your life and your readers’.

  6. Mary says

    January 5, 2015 at 12:04 pm

    love it- can’t wait to read more!

  7. Terre Davis says

    January 5, 2015 at 2:43 pm

    Great article and great insight. Thank you for sharing.

  8. Margaret says

    January 5, 2015 at 5:21 pm

    Thank you for this blog!

  9. Benita Cahalane says

    January 5, 2015 at 7:29 pm

    wonderful words that spoke to me in many ways! Thank you…benita

  10. Melissa Kruger says

    January 5, 2015 at 8:45 pm

    Thanks so much! My friend Lauren designed the site for me – you can see more of her work at: http://www.elleandcompanydesign.com

  11. Kim says

    January 5, 2015 at 10:36 pm

    Beautifully written! I needed to read this & be reminded of this truth today!

  12. Lisa Marie Ferguson says

    January 7, 2015 at 7:53 am

    So proud of you Melis! The Lord is at work in and through you…be encouraged! love you!

    • Melissa Kruger says

      January 7, 2015 at 8:39 am

      Thank you friend – Love you also!

Melissa Kruger is a wife, mom, and the author of multiple books, including The Envy of Eve and Walking with God in the Season of Motherhood. She enjoys teaching women the Bible and serves as the director of women's initiatives for The Gospel Coalition.

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