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“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” Jeremiah 33:3

When discouragement hits, whom do you call?

I was almost nine months pregnant, and my husband was out of town. Though it had been a high-risk pregnancy, both, the baby and I were doing great.

I made a call to my medical insurance company that morning to discuss some issues regarding payment for my care. When my caseworker informed me that the insurance wouldn’t be covering a large amount of the expenses as I’d expected, my mouth froze open and hot tears came, tumultuously. I excused myself from the call and fell to the floor with my nose in the carpet, sobbing.

I know that I am among the privileged few in the world that even have medical insurance, and the care that I and my baby had been receiving was protecting our very lives. But in that moment, all of the trials I’d had with this insurance company during the pregnancy — this was just the latest — felt like an avalanche that would overtake me.

I knew my husband was in meetings, so I immediately tried to telephone my mom, who had been my sounding board through the insurance “saga.” Oddly, there was so answer. I dialed my sisters’ numbers — both of them. Only empty rings. I took a deep breath and entered my best friend’s phone number. No answer.

I think I still had the receiver in my hand when, in my spirit, I sensed God saying, “I am here.”

I said, “Please minister to me, Holy Spirit!” And He did.

What a gentle, yet potent, lesson this has been for me. My family and friends are gifts from God, and they can and do minister His love to me. But the Father wants me to run to Him first, for His to be the first number I dial. Because… He loves me and knows me and knows exactly what I need.

There’s another happy ending to this story. Two days before I would go to the hospital and deliver a healthy baby girl, I received a letter from the insurance company saying they were reversing their earlier decision and would cover all of my expenses. How I felt embraced by God’s love once again!

Whatever trial you’re going through today, know that you have no better listener, no better comforter and no better problem solver than our beloved Lord.

Let’s keep Him on speed dial.

Father, thank you that You are a very present help in time of trouble. When we need to pour out our problems, help us to turn to You. You are the friend who is closer than a brother. You are our Abba, our Counselor par excellence. Holy Spirit, minister to our deepest needs today.

Questions: Tell us about a time when God ministered to you in a dynamic way when discouragement had set in. Are you going through a trial today? Would you like us to pray for you at this time?

About this Author: Stacy Wiebe