I’ve never been so wrecked by a text message before. My phone screamed pain, hurt, and desperation. The text told me that my sister-in-law was being rushed to the emergency room. She had miscarried and had lost so much blood that she passed out in my brother’s arms. She needed emergency surgery in order to stabilize her blood pressure or else…
Questions and emotions that I’ve never felt before rushed toward me like a linebacker on Super Bowl Sunday. I felt weak, tired, and helpless. “Why, God?” “What is happening?” “Where are You?” “What are You doing?”
It took some time for my forever wandering heart to catch up to all Theology I had learned in my eleven years of walking with God. In a time of honest prayer bearing my heart’s questions and frustrations, I felt God speak to me. He directed me to a common passage that I had thought about a few days before.
As I turned to Psalm 121, the Psalmist answered my soul’s anxious thoughts.
I was reminded that God, the Maker of Heaven and Earth was my help. In my emotional and spiritual distress, God was my help. His help was heavenly peace. This peace surpassed my understanding. My heart was stilled, anxiety was confronted and defeated and my faith was strengthened.
God’s help came at the right time. In Psalm 121, the author communicated a truth that I needed to hold onto. He reminded that God never sleeps. This was a truth that I needed to meditate on. I preached to my soul, “God never needs a power nap. He doesn’t grow weak or weary. He can be my help, because His eyes are always on me.” These words were medication to my broken heart.
As I received comfort from the Lord the words of Charles Spurgeon came to mind. As the great Prince of Preaches taught through Psalm 121, he adds, “When dangers are awake around us we are safe, for our Preserver is awake also, and will not permit us to be taken unaware. No fatigue or exhaustion can cast our God into sleep; His watchful eyes are never closed.”
Battleground not a playground
I always knew that the Christian life isn’t a playground, but a battleground. Many have thought that those who live for Jesus live in a false reality oblivious to hurt and pain. If anything, that’s the exact opposite of Biblical Christianity. Biblical Christianity confront pain and suffering head on. It doesn’t ignore pain and hurt but faces it with steadfastness and confidence in God’s strength.
In this battle, I’m learning that with God’s help, I can face tomorrow. With God’s help I can be of help to my sister-in-law and my little brother. I’m slowly realizing that God’s help is not a lesson that I graduate from, but a topic that I dive deeper and deeper into.
I’m thankful that for every hurt, there is a God-given hope to those who look to Him. I encourage you, reader, to look to God. He is forever our Heavenly Help. Whatever your problem may be, God is able to meet you with timely and perfect help. I beg you to confront your battles with His help. He is able!
Aaron Sabio lives in Oceanside LA, is a pastor at Calvary Chapel Vista in Southern California. He enjoys coffee, volleyball, and singing with his worship band, [REVO]Collective.
Aaron Sabio lives in Oceanside LA, is a pastor at Calvary Chapel Vista in Southern California. He enjoys coffee, volleyball, and singing with his worship band, [REVO]Collective.