Psalm 118:1-7
When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place. —Psalm 118:5 (NIV)
I was suffering from chest pain, having difficulty breathing, and experiencing terrible headaches. My doctor prescribed an antibiotic and other medicines, but for a week I experienced nights with little sleep and coughing attacks that left me exhausted and crying. At the same time, an internal battle raged—anxiety, fear, disappointment, and depressive moods attacked my mind and heart. Does the Lord hear my prayers? Why am I not getting better? When can I leave this isolation and return to my normal life?
But I continued asking the Lord for provision, help, and healing. Psalm 118 assures us the Lord is with us and will help us when we cry out. This happened for me. Although my physical condition didn’t improve for a couple more days, God sent people to pray for me, encourage me, and provide for me. God gave my doctor wisdom in changing my treatment. And God gave me encouragement daily to feed my soul, providing a spacious place to breathe and persevere.
Eventually healing came, and joy and thankfulness flooded my heart again. It is painful to be in a hard place, feeling attacked from all sides. But with God, times of suffering can strengthen our faith and show us that God is faithful and trustworthy always.
Today’s prayer: Faithful Lord, we cry out to you, our helper. When illness and fear threaten to overwhelm us, give us courage to persevere. Amen.
Thought for the day: The Lord helps me in my struggles.
Hadassah Treu (Pazardzhik, Bulgaria)
