by Karen Anderson

I’m so scared…lost in a huge forest with no means of escape.  What am I to do? What’s that sound! Something is running after me…I’m so scared—it’s getting closer and if it catches me, I’m done for!  What am I going to do…I’m too small and weak to defend myself.   It’s getting closer and closer, I can hear the breaking of branches, the rustling of the leaves, and the sound of running behind me.  Oh, dear God…what is it?  I can’t face it!  My heart is beating in my chest so hard it’s going to burst…I’m frightened!  Oh, dear God! Won’t somebody come to my rescue…anybody!  Is anyone hearing my cries for help!  Please, oh please, somebody, anybody!  PLEASE, dear God, come to my rescue NOW….”

There are times in your life that you may be at that point of complete and total desperation and you don’t know where to turn.  Your world is crashing down around your ears and there is no hope in sight.  You see no end to the dark tunnel and it terrifies you.  You don’t even want to enter the darkness, but you know you have to because that is your life.  All you see is failure…physical, emotional, and even spiritual.  All your efforts to make things right end up in failure and life continues to spiral out of control.  You are being robbed of your sanity and your emotional stability.  You have tried the traditional methods to solve your situation but help never comes.  It feels like something is chasing you. You can hear it crashing through every obstacle you put in its way.  It’s so close; you can feel the hot breath of disaster ready to grab you.  You know if it catches you, it will destroy you with no possibility or hope to survive.  What now?  You feel nothing but complete hopelessness. 

You are running as fast as you can to the only one that is your haven of rest—the arms of God.  His word says, “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him” (Psalm 62:5).  In times of trouble God is your source of comfort and strength.  Remember the days when you were small and you could run to the loving arms of your father and know you were safe and secure?  That is the vision of God—with arms opened wide, waiting for you to run to Him with all speed and FEEL those warm loving arms around you.  What a comfort, just knowing that He is too big for any harm to fall upon you, as long as you stay in that warm embrace.  

When it is time to venture out, go with His assurance that He will give you the strength to face what is in front of you.  Face that ordeal with renewed strength and direction.  His word says, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”  (Isaiah 40:31) What a great assurance, at times of being overwhelmed and having the feelings of impending disaster.  He promises to renew your strength, and then you can take the next step, no matter how small.   

 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)  Remember this when you count on God through any circumstance.  It is like taking a check to the bank.  Your account will grow.  Is God’s “check” good?  You can bank on it! 

The bottom line is this…to find hope and rest in times of trouble you need to have a relationship with God.  He will always be there for you in your deepest despair.  Have the assurance that you can count on Him every day.  It is time to trust and, like a small child learning to walk, take the next step out of your situation knowing that God will catch you when you start to fall.  God is your strength!

Copyright Karen Anderson