I heard this question form a lady that is part of the Prayer ministry that I have the privilege to lead. When I heard it I asked if I could use it for a title to my next blog, because I believe that it is a profound question that must be addressed by all of us.
Last week I had a terribly difficult week of ministry. Unfortunately there is a family (among many people) who are grieving the loss of their 18 year old son who decided to take his own life. It is heart wrenching to see and hear the weeping and mourning that follows such a disaster. I just got off of the phone with a husband who I have been working with (along with his wife) who told me that she relapsed again and he doesn’t know what to do anymore. I have contacted others who are in a hospital bed with various problems physically. I have a dear friend whose 21 year old son has cancer and is going through treatments. And the list goes on, and on.
In each of these cases all of those involved must ask themselves, “Where am I going to run to for help, healing, acceptance, purpose, hope, etc.?”. Each of us will come to a point in our lives where this question must be addressed, and I hope that we will all run to the One who has the answers we seek and is the solution to all of life’s many complex issues.
Jesus Christ says for us to come to Him all who are weary and He will give us rest (Matt. 11:28-30). There is another text in Hebrews 4:16 that says we should boldly approach the throne of grace in our times of need in order to find help when we are desperate for it! See, instead of running to the “gods” that we see fit to provide for us what only God can, we need to make running to Jesus our first course of action. Hebrews 12:2 tells us to fix our eyes upon Jesus!
Some examples of counterfeit solutions are; relationships (this seems right, and yes it is important, but it will not provide for us what God alone can provide), food, religion (the exercise of religious works and piety in order to try and gain “right standing” with God), sex, drugs, alcohol, etc. These unfortunate distractions are a real hindrance to a very real and simple solution – Jesus Christ. Please turn to Him before anything or anyone else.
This morning I read a profound Scripture that assures us of God’s immediate and constant source of help when we trust in Him. Isaiah 43:1-3(a) says this, “Now, this is what the LORD says, the one who created you, O Jacob, and formed you, O Israel: “Don’t be afraid, for I will protect you. I call you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I am with you; when you pass through the streams, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not harm you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your deliverer…”
Did you catch that? God is with you. He is our deliverer. He is our protector. God walks with us through the pain! God is the One who calls us by name and created us for His purposes! Let’s trust Him in good times and times of pain. He is with us. Do not get caught up in seeking other things that will inevitably make the pain worse, seek God! Isa 55:6 says, “Seek the Lord while he makes himself available; call to him while he is nearby!”. Do it today, do it always in order to get through whatever pain you may be enduring! God loves you.
God bless you.
