In Times of Distress
by Tanya Person
Recently, our team was reading through Psalm 107, and it struck me how many times it says that they went through hard times, and then says that in their distress they called out to the Lord and every time God rescued them.
Many years ago, I was going through a very difficult and emotional time. I spent many hours struggling and weeping over a situation. I was calling out to the Lord often during those days, asking Him to get me through. He sustained me through that time, and comforted and healed me. In my distress, I cried out to the Lord, and He heard me and rescued me.
Later, when things had stabilized, one day I realized that life was good, but I had lost that feeling of being desperate for God every day. I didn’t turn away from Him, but I was coasting. At that moment I realized that, while I don’t like to go through hard times, I can be thankful for them because they cause me to deepen my relationship with my Savior.
How encouraging to know that, when we are in trouble, we can call out to the Lord, and every time He will rescue and deliver us. It doesn’t matter how often we drift away. He is always waiting to rescue us, when we turn and call on Him.
It seems we all go through these cycles in our lives. Wherever we are in the process, let’s take a moment today to look to the Lord, and remember that He will use every situation in our lives to deepen our relationship with Him, and we can thank Him for it. Perhaps you would like to pray the following prayer with me.
Tanya Person Tanya and her husband, Jim, were missionaries to Hungary for over 18 years. They have worked with Ellel since 2005. After serving in various positions with Ellel in Central and Eastern Europe, God led them back to the United States, where they are now serving with the Ellel USA team. They have a passion to see leaders restored, the church discipled and walking in God’s fullness of life and freedom, and for mentoring the existing and developing team. Tanya also enjoys crocheting and knitting in her free time and has written some children’s picture books.
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