When we are in the midst of life's trials and tribulations we wring our hands, pace and stress our minds and bodies. We often see no way to relieve the stress and cower in a corner hoping our troubles will vanish. We seem to be on a slippery slope of utter despair as we find no instant relief. In the world in which we live if it isn't quick in coming we are desperate for a way to feel better. Doctors listen to our complaints of the rigors of daily life and see an opportunity to prescribe the newest panacea of pharmaceutical wonder drugs. In the few minutes they spend with you, they ascertain your complaints, write a prescription and send you on your way. Unfortunately the diagnosis of your life is similar to others because we all live in the similar realities. The doctor simply "pigeon holes" your complaints with all the others he's heard that day and defers to the "great new pill" that the drug rep had just told him about a few minutes earlier while you waited impatiently to see him. After we get our pills we dash to get a glass of water so all our despair will vanish. Relief is slow in coming. Sometimes we seek advice from our friends about how we should address our lingering problems. We have the pills but they haven't reduced our stress so we seek solace from someone, anyone.
We all seem to have forgotten there is someone very adept at handling our troubles. He doesn't pass out pills and you don't have to wait to talk to Him. You do have to have patience and listen closely for the answer. A simple prayer is the opening of our heart to God as a friend. Our biggest challenge is to be able to persist in prayer.
In Luke 18:1-9, Jesus gives his disciples an illustration to show them they must always pray and never lose heart. "Once upon a time," he said, "there was a magistrate in a town who had neither fear of God nor respect for his fellow men. There was a widow in the town who kept coming to him, saying, 'Please protect me from the man who is trying to ruin me.' And for a long time he refused. But later he said to himself, 'Although I don't fear God and have no respect for men, yet this woman is such a nuisance that I shall give judgment in her favor, or else her continual visits will be the death of me!'"
Then the Lord said:
"Notice how this dishonest magistrate behaved. Do you suppose God, patient as he is, will not see justice done for his chosen, who appeal to him day and night? I assure you he will not delay in seeing justice done. Yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find men on earth who believe in him?"
When troubles overwhelm you, will God know your voice? Will He know your heart? Will He give you rest from your trials? Will you recognize the answer to your prayer? Pray diligently! Have a grateful heart! Love God!
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