“Defeated completely” — Have you ever felt that way in your life? Has your life seemed underwater as you desperately attempt to struggle upward through a series of mental, physical, and/or spiritual problems.? Perhaps, as you snuggle under the covers, your eyes close but your mind accelerates as it tumbles over the financial or family crisis facing you. What will tomorrow bring?
Although I’ve had a relatively calm existence for almost ninety years, my mind drifts in reverse at times. I still shudder a bit, remembering the words in the doctor’s office that scary day, “We need to operate immediately. Your heart is in trouble.” And, yes, within a few days the surgeon carefully sliced my chest open and inserted a new aortic valve. I would have been even more overwhelmed if I had been awake the moment immediately preceding the insertion of the knife. Just as doc was ready to begin the surgery, her supervisor entered the room, apparently took one look at my sleeping body, and said to her, “Why are you going to operate on that old lady?”
Praise the Lord! The doctor had the courage and strength to move ahead, and even to share that story with me several nights later as I rested, but was discouraged about my recovery potential. Now, about five years later, I continue to exist, be active, and get to encourage and help other people experiencing moments of feeling overwhelmed with various situations.
Psalm 142 is a wonderful example of David’s thoughts and prayer while hiding in a cave when Saul, unaware of his presence, enters the same cave. David and his men are hiding from Saul who wants to take David’s life. The opening words of the prayer indicates his despair that day. “I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble” (Psalm 142;1-2).
I encourage each reader today to read I Samuel 24 which describes the situation facing David and then turn to his prayer in Psalm 142. God does provide for those experiencing a feeling of hopelessness. Challenges, as one faces gigantic or even modest life’s mountains, can cause discouragement, a “give-up” attitude, or even more drastic feelings.
We must remember that God is ready to hang on to our hand. He will provide peace, but we must kneel down and look up for that hand of God reaching down for us to grab. He does listen to our cries. He (God) did send the physician in that evening to sit by my bedside and help calm my mind and soul. He provides relief, sometimes in totally unexpected ways. We just must trust and keep our hearts and eyeballs peeled to recognize and accept that helping hand.
But, one last reminder. Sometimes YOU may be the servant God is using to provide that needed help or tranquilizer to help one of God’s children. Be alert and open to being God’s servant.
Enhance your listening skills.
Tune into the voice of the one who listens to you, Our Father in Heaven.
PEACE
Kathryn Ransom 