A Very Present Help In Trouble

As much as we would like for life to be easy, for most of us it is at times difficult and frustrating—sometimes heart- breaking. No matter how strong a Christian a person feels he or she is, we each have human emotions and can be devastated by the circumstances of life. In those times, it can be difficult to look up, keep a positive attitude, and stay focused and moving in the right direction. I have in the past faced disheartening circumstances when it seemed I would be conquered by discouragement and depression. I know how it feels to not want to get out of bed each morning and have experienced a weight that caused me to go about my days only performing the tasks that had to be done—going through the motions of life without really living. If you have never experienced this, you have much for which to be thankful.

While in the midst of life’s difficulties, it is important to recognize that even though you are going through a valley now, as you trust in the Lord, you will come out victorious on the other side. We have a tendency to think the present moment and the present condition will last forever. But with God no situation is impossible. In the time of trouble, we must hold on to what we know is true, keep our faith in God, and trust that He will take the very negative circumstances of our lives and make something good out of them. (Romans 8:28)

I believe it is in the hard times that we discover how much we really need the Lord. Even though we say we love Him, and we do live for Him, it is easy in the good times to become independent and feel stronger than we really are. When the tough times come, as they surely will, we have to depend on the strength we receive from the Lord and His Word. The Bible tells us His strength is made perfect in our weakness. (2 Cor. 12:9) We become the most strong when we stop living in our own strength and live in the power of the Spirit.

As we all know, evil is a part of life that we cannot escape while we are on this earth. We have an enemy who is adept at causing us trouble. Jesus said in John 10:10, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy . . .” It is important for us to understand that while God is not the one who brings trouble to us, He does use our negative circumstances to mold each of us into the person He wants us to be. We may not understand what He is doing—we may not like the way He does it. It may only be later on down the road that we look back and comprehend what He was doing. But, if we will submit to God’s work in our hearts, as we come to that place of understanding, we will see the good in what He did in us as a result of our circumstances. We will know that through the difficulties, He made us a better person. God’s ways are higher than our ways, His thoughts higher than ours. (Isaiah 55:9) We must place ourselves in His hands and trust His wisdom.

As I write these words, I am not telling you something I have only read or heard about. I have known the lonely moments of despair when no one knew what was going on in my heart. I have felt the agony of thinking that no one understood what I was going through. But those kinds of thoughts are lies from the enemy. He wants us to be isolated, away from anyone who can help us. So he convinces us that no one else has ever been where we are. And he causes us to feel shame because of how depressed we have become. And we suffer alone many times, being unwilling to reveal our thoughts to others and ask for help.

The Word tells us that there is One who has been touched with the feeling of our infirmities. (Hebrews 4:15) Jesus left the splendor of heaven to become human, so that He could understand firsthand the loneliness of rejection. He knows what it is to be accused unjustly. He has experienced the frailties that are part of our human existence. And His Word tells us that through the blood He shed on our behalf, we can come boldly before His throne and obtain the help that we need. (Hebrews 4:16)

Whatever you are going through, the Lord is present to help you. His Word tells us He is our very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1) Call to Him. He has not forsaken you, and He will not fail you!

Scriptures for Reflection

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness . . . (2 Corinthians 12:9)

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:9)

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:15-16)

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)