Stepping Stones: Good News! Somebody Does Listen and Understand

Transformational Thought

Seems like my whole teen era was filled with me screaming inside, “Nobody understands me!” Do you sometimes feel as though nobody is listening or understands what you are going through or experiencing?

I was a visiting preacher at a small church a few weeks ago. It was different. What do you expect when you have a psychiatrist preaching? Before prayer, people were sharing praises and requests. An older lady offered praise for an incident a week earlier when we had some terrible storms and lots of damage in the area. She had a big old tree very close to her house that wasn’t going to survive the storm. The group prayed that nobody would be hurt and that no damage would be done to the house. Sure enough, she woke up the next day, and the tree, despite the way it was leaning, fell away from the house, damaging nothing. She was happy God heard her prayers.

It is great that God prevented damage. But the dangerous assumption is: “Good” outcome means God hears our prayers; “Bad” outcome means God doesn’t hear our prayers.

Well, Good News! Someone is listening and does understand. God hears all our prayers and knows exactly what we are going through and what we need. The Bible tells us that God is compassionate. He has a sympathetic understanding of your situation and He wants to ease your burden and free you from the load you carry. He is dependable. He is always there for you. He will never leave you alone. God's love has no limits or conditions and never fails, no matter what your circumstances.

You have many challenges to face, but you don't have to face them alone. Just because we don’t get what we prayed for doesn’t mean He wasn’t listening. Remember all the things you asked for as a kid. Aren’t you glad you didn’t get some of them? In fact, you now say “No” to your kids when they ask for the same thing.

Today, talk to God about your feelings and your fears. As you spend time in the Bible, you will be comforted. You will learn that God is your refuge in your trouble. He offers strength and help. He is ever-present. He cares for you. He wants to carry your anxiety. He will give you peace.

Prayer
Dear Father God, thank You for Your promise to be with me, no matter what. Thank You for understanding and caring. Because circumstances don’t work out the way I want them to, I mistakenly interpret that You don’t love me, don’t care, or are just too busy with more important people and issues. Help me resist this me-centered thinking and lie, and open my eyes to Your truth. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One you sent to deliver the good news, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!

The Truth
God is good, a hiding place in tough times. He recognizes and welcomes anyone looking for help, No matter how desperate the trouble.
Nahum 1:7

But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress.
Psalm 59:16

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
1 Corinthians 10:13