WHO YOU GONNA CALL, WHEN YOU NEED HELP?

SCRIPTURE:
When I called, You answered me; You made me bold and courageous. 
(Psalm 138:3)

MEDITATION:
Whenever we are suffering from being lonely, sorrowing over a loss, 
or in a spiritual valley, 
we need to talk to someone - preferably a close friend.
We need someone who understands us and will not judge us, 
but will encourage us.
Many times close friends want to tell us what we did wrong, 
or what we should do.
Their intentions are good, but we just need a close friend who will listen 
while we "unload our wagon", and provide us with needed encouragement.

At some time in life, 
all of us experience the loneliness of sorrow, and when we do,
we need someone to come close to us in our world of sorrow.
Mary and Martha experienced the loneliness of sorrow.
They were saddened by the death of their brother, Lazarus, 
and Martha said to Jesus,
“If you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 
Jesus entered their sorrow with them; He came to where they were.
The shortest verse in the Bible 
tells us that at the tomb of Lazarus “Jesus wept”.

It is the same with us.
Jesus knows when we are hurting and He understands the cause of our sorrow.
As a result, He knows exactly what we need at the time.
The psalmist called on Him 
and received encouragement and strength to carry on.

When we come to Jesus Christ, 
He doesn’t promise to exempt us from troubled times. 
Tears will come, 
but He gives us exactly what we need to cope with our sorrows.
He also lifts our spirits, encourages us, and gives us a boldness 
that allows us to discover a joy that only the Lord can provide.

It is a joy from God—produced by the Holy Spirit. 
In the midst of trials, agony and tears which come to us all, 
a supernatural power is provided which produces joy.
It is not a joy that wipes out our sorrow; it is a joy of knowing 
that the Lord understands and is walking with us through our valley.

ACTION:
Are you in a valley of sadness, loneliness, discouragement, or depression?
If so, then make you first call for help to the Lord.
And when you do, be open and honest about your feelings.
Additionally, 
ask Him to show you what changes you need to make in your life.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, I am amazed at how much You know about me. You know 
my “ups” and my “downs”. You know my “spiritual highs” and you know my 
sins. In fact, You know me better than I know myself. Teach me to call 
on You first in all situations. When I am blessed with spiritual highs, 
help me seize the opportunity to find ways to serve You. When I am in a 
spiritual valley, show me the things that put me there and help me to make 
whatever changes will keep me out of the pit in the future. When I am high 
or when I am low, teach me to always call on You first. Especially during 
times of sorrow, I know that Your closeness will comfort me, enfold me, 
and give me a light of hope.”