May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. Psalm 20:1. NIV.
Distress is not a word I hear often..but it’s synonyms shows up again and again! It means extreme anxiety, sorrow or pain.(Oxford Dictionary). The Hebrew root word comes from a sense of tightness or a narrow place, straits (tsar)–a feeling of being trapped or pressured. Usually there is a feeling of being in a tight or restricted place. Sometimes it comes with the feeling of hopelessness, discouragement and suffering. Feeling trapped is a horrible feeling. Sounds pretty negative doesn’t it?
Don’t despair! God is aware of your situation as he was for the Israelite’s during their bondage to Egypt. 7 Then the LORD said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings. Exodus 3:7. ESV. Following him does not mean the absence of trouble. God actually sent them to Egypt to save their lives. He also had a plan to bring them out of that trouble. It takes faith when we are in trouble to believe there is a way out.
We have to remember who to call upon. Often in our struggles and “straits”, we feel alone and that we have to be our own salvation. There is a temptation to escape from the pain through alcohol, drugs, food bingeing or excessive television watching. But as believers, we need to turn to him. David, in Psalm 18:6 is a great example. But in my distress I cried out to the Lord; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears. Encourage yourself in the word. Don’t wait. Psalm 107 contains both encouragement and instruction to those who are in distress.
Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle. They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle. Psalm 107:4-8. NIV. Cry out to the Lord. As I was writing this, it occurred to me that our God has had great experience in delivering many, many believers from distressful circumstances! He is good at it! Do not be afraid to cry out to your God in the middle of your trouble–or better yet, the beginning.
Remember. Remember, he promised to never leave us or forsake us. So even when you are feeling all alone, you are not. Allow him to comfort you while you wait for his answers. If things are delayed from our liking, there is a temptation to grow impatient and frustrated. It’s okay to share that with him, but I encourage you to tell him, but no matter how I feel or things appear, I trust you Lord.
Paul suffered a lot for the gospel’s sake. 8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 0 He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. 2 Corinthians 1:8-10. ESV. God desires to use our distressful times not only for our good, but also for the good of others.
Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer. Psalm 4:1. ESV. Take courage and remember when he delivered you before. Remind yourself of his faithfulness especially if you feel you yourself are the source of your distress. Nothing can separate us from His loving care.
Both David and the Apostle Paul faced distressing times. I am so grateful we can take encouragement from them to move through our distress into peace and freedom–trusting him to make a way where there may seem to be no way. He is able my friends…not only for you, but for your family and friends. Do not be afraid when distress comes, but turn to him. He is trustworthy. You will come through with a testimony that will bring glory to his name.
Father, I thank you that you are a very present help in the time of trouble…even in our distressful times. I am so grateful we can turn to you. Help us lean into you and your ways when we feel trapped and confined. Thank you for delivering us from all our troubles as we cast our care upon you. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Faith Encounters 