When We Need Immediate Spiritual Help
God never leaves us floundering when trials come our way. He comes alongside and lends us His almighty hand. That’s what the word “helps” means in Romans 8:26
Every time my husband and I go sailing, we hear radio calls from boaters in distress.
Whatever the problem, these folks are in trouble and need immediate physical help.
Sometimes we need immediate spiritual help
As I write this, I’m thinking of a friend whose cancer has returned and left her with limited options. Maybe you know someone in the same situation. Or maybe you’re in the middle of a desperate situation yourself.
Relationships disappoint us. Marriages fail. Health fails. Kids go off the deep end and land in trouble. Money runs short.
Life’s like that. Hard things happen, and fear takes over. Worry keeps us awake at night. Unforgiveness threatens to pull us under or carry us away.
We need a rescue. We need immediate spiritual help. The good news is, help is close at hand.
Romans 8:26 tells us how God addresses our need:
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”
God never leaves us floundering when trials come our way. He comes alongside us and lends us His almighty hand. That’s what the word “helps” means in Romans 8:26. The rescue becomes a joint effort.
How does God help us?
By giving us the Holy Spirit to pray for us when we haven’t got a clue what to do. Sometimes, in the midst of our muddle, we don’t even know how to pray. Words fail, and the most we can muster is a feeble, “Help!”
That’s okay. We needn’t feel guilty, and we need not panic because the Holy Spirit steps in and cries out on our behalf. He intercedes for us. He takes our cares and concerns to God the Father during those times when we feel completely overwhelmed.
Life being what it is, we will face situations in which we can do nothing to help ourselves. Nada. That can be a scary place, and we might feel completely alone there. But we are not alone. The Holy Spirit sees our desperation and, as our rescuer, willingly dives into that situation. He comes alongside, stays with us, and gives us the spiritual help we need.
Back to the boating parallel
When a boater in distress calls for help, the nearest vessel and the Coast Guard rush to the rescue. They willingly come alongside to help because that’s what they do. The boater might not have a clue how to help himself, but those in the know lend their expertise. They put themselves in the situation that’s causing distress and face the emergency with the boater.
Perhaps you’re in a place of distress today. Maybe your marriage is in trouble, or you’re struggling with a secret sin.
Maybe you’re worried sick about the choices your kids are making. Perhaps you’re in financial or medical distress. Maybe your life has just taken an unexpected turn that’s left you brokenhearted.
If you’re in a situation that calls for immediate help, be encouraged with this:
May I pray for you?
“Heavenly Father, thank You for sending the Holy Spirit to be our helper in time of distress. Thank You for coming to our rescue when we cry out to You for help. Thank You for coming alongside us, for giving us wisdom and strength, and for interceding on our behalf. We trust You, Lord, to rescue us because You are strong, wise and good. And You have eternal purposes in mind. Help us to rest in these truths. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Photo courtesy of Kanenori on Pixabay
Know you are loved,
Grace
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I’ve been battling suicidal thoughts for months, and even attempted in December.
I don’t know what Hod wants from me, and I feel l Iike I’m losing my faith and trust in him. Not a good place for a desperate person to be in.
I don’t know what he wants from me. I know different verses, but I feel weak, worthless and useless. What does God want from me, if my faith feels like it’s failing and I feel like I don’t trust him.
I want to trust Him. I’ve been getting images, in my mind of a wolf, and it’s scaring me to death. To the point of all I want now is death. I don’t want to live anymore, but I don’t want to go to hell either.
I am at my end. I have the means to end my life, but if it doesn’t succeed, I could be even worse off.
Please pray for me. I’ve already been hospitalized but it didn’t help, so I don’t want that again. I’m on bi-polar med which helps with anxiety and depression as well,.but I don’t feel like it’s helping. I’ve had maybe 2 good days in these last 3 months.
I’m watching people’s testimonies about how God has rescued them, and gave them a new life, and though their lives aren’t perfect, they’re happy overall.
I’m just not feeling God’s Spirit in me, which i know is what truly changes people.
Please pray for me, before I make a permanent decision that I know will effect other people’s lives. I just want to feel normal again.
Hi Laura:
Thank you for reaching out and vocalizing your struggles. I’m not a professional counselor, nor do I believe that this space is the most appropriate for an in-depth discussion about something that’s been troubling you for months, but I do believe you came across my blog for a reason. That wasn’t coincidental. God’s Spirit directed you here for a purpose. You wrote twice, “Please pray for me,” so I will do that right here, right now.
“Heavenly Father, thank You for Laura and for directing her to this place today. Thank You for her honesty, and thank You for knowing her thoughts and feelings. Thank You for caring deeply about her well-being. Because of Your great and unchanging love for Laura, I ask You to set her free from suicidal thoughts. Shed the light of Your truth into the darkness–the truth that You came to give life and that her future is one filled with hope. The truth is that You came to share Your peace with her and to heal her broken heart. Father, direct her to godly professionals who can give her the necessary supports she needs during this difficult time. Surround her with Your promises to set her on high, far from the enemy’s grasp. Be her strength one moment at a time, every hour, every day. Restore her hope and renew her joy. I’m asking You to do this for her because she is Your child. In Jesus’s powerful name, amen.”
Laura, why not take that prayer and say it aloud as often as you need to, but make it personal: “Thank You, Father, for knowing my thoughts and feelings. Thank You for caring deeply about my well-being…” and so on. Please seek medical help to determine whether the meds you’re taking are the best for you, and do not hesitate to reach out to a suicide hotline. You matter.
Know you are loved, Laura. I will continue to pray for you.