God Is On The Side Of The Desperate

Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God. He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—he remains faithful forever. He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free.
Psalm 146:5-7

When life falls apart, if one can cling to the truth that God is good, all powerful, and wise, then it is possible to believe that everything will, somehow and eventually, turn out okay.

Ah, but that’s far easier said than done! It takes courage, almost a kind of “spiritual stubbornness” to wait and watch for God to work. Faith is not a breezy, easy act. It does not feel “fun.” Trusting God is alternately exciting and terrifying.

So, what are we to do in times of trial and crisis? How can we hold on to God? Talking with a mentor can help. So can attending church, journaling and opening up to a small group. God provides a lot of different helps to get us through.

Perhaps the best prescription for difficult times is to practice solitude and try to listen to what God is saying. Take, for example, the promise-filled passage above. Such words can be life to a desperate soul—maybe even yours.

GOD’S PROMISE TO ME
• I will help you in every crisis.

MY PRAYER TO GOD
Lord, you promise so much to those who look to you. Such assurances seem too good to be true. They seem almost mocking, for I am in trouble and I can’t find you. I can’t see how you are working. Please help me, God. I cannot help myself. You are my only hope.