August 30, 2022

Psalm 116: 2 (NIV)

Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.

It is such a comfort to drop the entanglements and perplexities of life into God’s hands and leave them there.*

The first week that my twin boys were in high school, I got hives. Dealing with their school was one of the most stressful experiences of my life. There were some issues with their schedule that needed to be worked out, but when the person who answered the phone at the school couldn’t help me, I couldn’t get any further, no matter how many times I called. No referring me to another person; just, “Sorry, I don’t know.” Finally, (long story short) I found someone who could help me – the district superintendent’s secretary. After all was sorted out, I told this long-time, knowledgeable, and helpful employee, “You can’t retire until after my boys graduate.” (And I did have to call on her again before their four years were up!)

My reliable source of help with the school system didn’t actually solve my problem but she put me in touch with someone who could. God doesn’t always provide the solution either. Sometimes he shows us how to live with our problems. Occasionally, he turns a problem into a blessing. But he never leaves us to face life alone.

I wish that I could have found that helpful employee before I had to run the gauntlet of futility. I would wish the same for you as you struggle with life’s issues. When you know who can help, why waste your time getting nowhere with people who don’t know anything? God is ready to listen and ready with the answers. Give him that first chance to be your source of help and you will say with the psalmist, “Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.” Perhaps you can say good-bye to high blood pressure, ulcers, anxiety . . . hives . . .

God wants to provide solutions that will nourish and sustain, not harm us in the long run.*