A friend called, her voice ragged and shaken. “Mike got
crushed inside his car. The jaws of life had to get him out. He’s hurt bad! My
son might not live.”
Helplessness.
I rejoiced when my daughter called to say she was
pregnant. Every month, after her pregnancy checkup, my daughter would call. We
thanked God for this precious new life who would be part of our family. Seeing my
daughter’s name come up on the phone, I eagerly picked it up, “Hey, Sweetie!
How are you feeling today?” There’s a kind of silence, a deafening silence,
that a Mama’s heart picks up on. “What’s wrong?” Through sorrow filled hiccups,
my daughter voiced, “I went to the doctor. Oh, Mama, my baby’s dead.”
Helplessness.
After many attempts to reconcile with her sister, May finally
received a letter from her. May was so excited she ripped the envelope open and
pulled out the note. In large letters were scrawled words of stinging finality.
“Do not try to contact me again.”
Helplessness.
The doctor twitched in his chair, staring at a stack
of paper. A crushing silence heated the room. He felt his hands shake. Across
from him sat a woman he had taken care of since she was a college student. He
was invited to her wedding. He dropped by the hospital when her first child was
born. Looking up at her, he saw a pain-stricken face and took a deep breath. He
knew she needed him to give her good news. She had been through a tough year
managing her husband’s sickness and recent death. But the news he had to
deliver was hard. “Susan, the tests confirm that you have breast cancer.” She
threw her hand over her mouth and cried, “No.”
Helplessness.
I just finished reading a book, Before We Were Yours, that kept me feeling helpless right up
until the end. At times my heart raced, and I felt sick at my stomach. I wanted
a resolution. I needed the feeling of utter despair to end. But I could not put
that book down. I had to find out what happened. I wanted to know the ending.
Have you ever been in a situation where you felt
utterly helpless?
On the afternoon of May 31, 2019, a young man opened
fire at the Municipal Building in Virginia Beach, Virginia killing twelve
people. Helplessness etched itself on the hearts of many people leaving them
broken and unable to think past a horrendous, needless slaughter.
Since then the news has highlighted individuals who
pushed through their panic and fear to serve and comfort those around them. We
want to hear these stories. We need to hear these stories in times of disaster
and human suffering.
Our faith teaches us that God never leaves nor
forsakes us. God was at the crime scene. He walked through the horror to make
sure no one was left alone. We have this blessed assurance, as comfort that
goes beyond human understanding.
As prayers have gone up for the victims of this
tragedy, the community has been blessed by witnessing the outpouring of mercy
and love long after the shooting. Love and support for the victims and their
families reigned as establishments raised banners with Virginia Beach Strong on
their billboards. Virginia Beach Strong was also painted across store fronts and
doorways. Virginia Beach Strong was written on car windows. Clergy,
prayer warriors, support groups, and grief counselors were in place quickly to
help all who sought help.
Over the past two weeks, I’ve been intentionally
focused on the word “helpless” and the moments when we feel helpless. It was
like reading that book; I needed a resolution for the pain and heartbreak. I
wanted to know the outcome would be okay. Then I remembered my go-to verse, the
one that always centered me when I feel helpless.
2
Chronicles 20:12 states, “We do not know what to do, but we look to You.”
It’s all about You, Father. It’s not about us.
Get God-centered.
God’s word is filled with men and women who have cried
out in helplessness, begging God to intervene and ease their fear and
hopelessness. As they lament, they begin to recall and remember all God’s
promises and provisions that go beyond a physical deliverance to a profound
knowledge of God’s spiritual rescue when we seek His face.
In Psalm 119, David sought to understand God’s ways in
the midst of human questioning, suffering, and turmoil. It’s the longest
chapter in the Bible. I’m not surprised, given the content, that it wasn’t
longer.
As I studied Psalm 119, I felt the rich tones of
David’s confession and cries to God. In helplessness, fear, and dismay, David
sought understanding. But human understanding does not satisfy. Our emotions often
wall us up and away from spiritual understanding. Only God’s words and His
provisions can quench the troubling sorrow and helplessness our heart, mind,
and soul feel.
David’s cry in Psalm 119 is powerful. I think you will
feel a deep connection to the psalmist’s cry. David recognizes in vs. 145-176 that
he needs to confess to God that he is helpless. Then David realizes he has to
make time with God in order to keep his focus centered on the Father. David
consistently asks for God to revive him according to God’s will. Recalling and
remembering God’s word, promise, and provision brings helplessness under our
Helper’s control.
God has gone further by providing more to bolster you
during moments of helplessness, despair, and turmoil. It’s found in Ephesians 6:10-18.
God has given you a battle plan, verses to remember in any situation where you
need extra strength and protection. Bind these words on your heart, mind, and
soul. Remember.
“Only God can ease the agony and cries of the human
heart, not with logic bearing human reasoning, but words filled with sacred
promises and mighty declarations of love.” (unknown)
I’ve also attached my favorite verses that help center
me in times of helplessness. All you have to do is copy and paste link in browser to view or copy and print.
God bless you always,
Angela, Virginia Beach Strong
Living Life Through Faith
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