God is Listening

I've been thinking alot lately about the trials the Lord brings into our lives. Sometimes he uses the same trials to teach us things. For us, it was the trials of having babies both with medical issues, Rachel, her birth defect, and Hannah, swallowing issues that lasted until she was 18 months old.

Why did the Lord choose the area of our children's health to be a trial for us over and over again? Was it because we didn't learn what we were suppose to the first time around? Was the trial to see how we'd handle it - by bringing us to our knees in prayer? Or was it for us to shine as examples with joy and bring the Glory to God, which is what I believe to be the reason for Rachel's birth defect.

My Mom writes beautiful devotions and keeps a devotional blog, Beside Still Waters. And as I was looking back of some of her older devotionals, I came across this particular one:

"For He has not ignored
the suffering of the needy.
He has not turned
and walked away.
He has listened to their
cries for help."

Psalm 22:24 NLT
Isn't this verse a comforting reminder that God does hear our cries for help? It doesn't matter what the circumstances of our lives are. If we are in need, He doesn't turn a deaf ear to us. God may not answer the way we want Him to, but He does answer in His timing, and in the way He knows is best for our particular need.

"He has not turned and walked away".......We can't always expect people to hang in there with us through our times of need. Some will, but many won't. But that's okay, we have reassurance all through the scriptures that God won't. He will never leave us or forsake us...no matter what!

Some trials go on for many years, it doesn't mean that God is ignoring us. If the mountain won't move, then we are to climb the mountain and bring glory to His name in the climb. How do we do that when the suffering can be so overwhelming at times? We abide in Him and draw close to Him through prayer and Bible reading...two simple things. We can't think for minute that Satan will not try to keep us from the rest and peace that comes as we abide. Be aware!

If you are discouraged and maybe needy today.....find comfort in knowing that God is listening and He has not turned away from you. Look for ways that you can see God working in your life, even if it's in the small things and then, give Him PRAISE!!!

"Don't be overwhelmed...
take it one day and one prayer at a time."

~Stormie Omartian~

These times in which we are living, are bringing a lot of trials to people's lives - health issues, financial issues, loss of a job. They may be trials that last longer than a week, a month, or maybe even years, but isn't it comforting to know God is always listening?? If you're in the midst of a trial, remember who you can talk to, and He doesn't have Call Waiting, He's available and ready to listen when you're ready to talk.