Whenever I Call – God Answers

 

Psalm 86:1-7 (NLT)
“1 A prayer of David. Bend down, O LORD, and hear my prayer; answer me, for I need your help. 2 Protect me, for I am devoted to you. Save me, for I serve you and trust you. You are my God. 3 Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am calling on you constantly. 4 Give me happiness, O Lord, for I give myself to you. 5 O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help. 6 Listen closely to my prayer, O LORD; hear my urgent cry. 7 I will call to you whenever I'm in trouble, and you will answer me.”

God is good all the time. This is a tremendous truth that we may hear often, but we sometimes have a difficult time truly believing it in our own lives. Whether it’s because we think our past mistakes disqualify us, we feel unworthy, or we’re struggling to understand God’s grace, some of us won’t allow ourselves to trust that God is for us. He wants us to win in life, but when we don’t know enough about Him and life has been very unkind to us, it can be difficult to shake that ‘unworthy’ feeling. We might have a tough time accepting that our situation will change–that God will turn things around for us. 

In Psalm 86:1-7, David, the psalmist, is real, reverent, surrendered, and confident in trusting that God hears and answers prayer. This should be our approach as well. Our Heavenly Father is consistent, and we can count on His faithfulness. Whether we’re in trouble, in need of forgiveness, or simply crying out from a place of desperation, God is always ready to respond. This passage reminds us of the importance of continually calling on the Lord when life gets difficult. We were never meant to go through storms alone. God is with us in every situation. 

We should never allow our mistakes and sins to keep us from seeking Him. God is good, and He doesn’t turn us away when we come to Him with a sincere heart. He welcomes us, forgives us, and restores us. His love is not based on our perfection, because we are not perfect. His love is based on His character. 1 John 4:16 (NLT) tells us, “We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.”

When we fall short, that's the very moment we need to run to Him, not from Him. As Psalm 86:5 (NLT) says, “O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.” No matter what we’ve done, His arms are open, and His grace is available. Let us keep seeking Him, trusting that His mercy is greater than our mistakes and wrongdoing.

There was a time when I had made such a mess of things that I couldn’t imagine that anything could pull me out of it. Failures were gripping every area of my life. I was constantly putting out fires, only to discover another one flaring up somewhere else. My circle of friends seemed few, and I was too weighted down with shame to go to God. He had been so good to me, but I took His goodness for granted and stubbornly refused to  call on Him. Days turned into months. Almost a year went by, and I still had not prayed for His help, feeling that I deserved everything that was going wrong.

People were lying on me, and those I once thought were in my corner became enemies. It was a crazy time, like none I had ever seen or heard of. Adding an abusive relationship to that mix was catastrophic, and I was deteriorating fast. I felt like I was losing pieces of myself—my joy, my identity, my will to even try. I smiled in front of people, but inside I was crumbling. I had become someone I didn’t even recognize. The pain was deep, and the silence from heaven felt even deeper. 

Psalm 34:18 (NLT) tells us, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” This scripture came back to me in my darkest hour. It wasn’t just my heart that was broken–every part of me seemed to be that way, and I presented my broken, downtrodden self to God. I remembered clearly what had been in such a haze the longest time: “whenever I call, God answers.” My stubbornness had blinded me from this truth for months, but my thankfulness to God for bursting through with this revelation was overwhelming. And I was also thankful to my own self, for allowing Him to finally rescue me before it was too late. He had been there all along, and I had refused to let Him in. 

That moment marked the beginning of my restoration. I didn’t come to God with eloquent words, and my faith was not perfect. I came to Him broken, weary, and just barely holding on. He met me with mercy. He didn’t get on my case or scold me for staying away so long. He simply embraced me. He covered me in His amazing grace and began putting the shattered pieces of my life back together. What I thought was the end turned out to be a new beginning. His love and goodness reminded me of who I truly was and who I still could become. If you’re in that place—tired, ashamed, or feeling too far gone—know this: God is near. He still answers. And it’s never too late to let Him in. ■

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

 “Whenever I Call-God Answers”, written by Kim for https://rescuefromdomesticviolence.blogspot.com© 2025. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Tell Your Mountain to Move

 

Matthew 17:20 (NLT)

“You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.^”

Driving past the local cable store the other day brought back a memory I hadn’t thought about in a while. It was during a visit when I had to exchange some equipment. On that particular night, the line for customer service was unusually long. Normally, I might’ve been frustrated, but for some reason, I felt an unusual calm. Now I realize—it was the Holy Spirit within me, keeping me still and patient in the wait.

And let me tell you—that wait had a purpose. I was being positioned—not just for a transaction, but for an encounter. When I finally reached the counter, I met a customer service representative who looked like she was carrying more than just the weight of her job. I simply asked her, “How’s your day going?”—and it was as if I’d cracked open a window in a suffocating room. She exhaled, and the story began to unfold.

Her twin sister was in an abusive marriage, raising two young sons under the weight of fear and heartbreak. As if that pain wasn’t enough, she had just learned that her sister’s husband had gotten another woman pregnant. Her heart was heavy—not just for her sister’s situation, but for the helplessness she felt while watching someone she loves endure such brokenness. It was clear that she needed to talk—she needed someone to see her—to listen, care, and acknowledge her pain.

I realized that the line I was in wasn’t just a delay, it was divine timing. The Spirit didn’t just keep me patient; He had prepared me to be present. This woman, her sister, and her sister’s children, they were in desperate need of prayer and of our Heavenly Father’s rescue.

Jesus Christ tells us that we’ve been empowered to speak to the mountains, and they’ll move. However, we can’t speak any words and expect results; we must say what God says. His Words carry authority and power, and we say what He says with faith; power and authority are released. In Isaiah 55:11 (NLT), God said, “It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.” When we speak His Word, we’re bringing ourselves in harmony and alignment with Him, achieving His divine purpose.

Like the woman in the store, we might feel there are some mountains in our lives that are inconceivable to climb or move. For whatever reason, we’ve convinced ourselves that God will not come to our aid, but He doesn’t want anyone to be defeated or overwhelmed by the storms of life. Sometimes, we carry silent fears, hidden discouragement, or past disappointment, and these things shape how we view God’s willingness to help. But God’s Word is the truth. In Isaiah 41:10 (NLT), He reminds us, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Our Heavenly Father is not distant or indifferent. He is an ever-present help in our time of need. He’s always ready to lift us up so that we will not slip.

I felt so privileged to stand in the gap and pray for this dear sister and her family. My prayer was not only that the children and their mother would come out of this situation with healed hearts, but that the woman who shared this with me would come to know the Lord herself. 1 Timothy 2:3-4 (NLT) says, “This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.” It’s wonderful to know that God freely offers the gift of salvation to all who will accept it. And when we receive it, we can begin to grow in Christ, increase our faith, and speak to mountains that will have no other choice but to move out of our way.

We are empowered through Christ to stand strong on God’s Word. We can intercede for our families, our communities, and our own lives—knowing that His strength is made perfect in our weakness, and His promises never fail. ■

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“Tell Your Mountain to Move” written by Kim for https://rescuefromdomesticviolence.blogspot.com © 2025. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

I’m Stronger Than I Thought

 

Life has a way of testing us, and it is often when we least expect it. We might find ourselves thinking, “Lord, I just got over a bad situation, and now this pops up! When will I be able to just have peace for a little while?” We go through seasons when trials, difficulties, and obstacles seem to come from every direction. Whether they’re physical, emotional, or spiritual, these challenges can leave us feeling weak and overwhelmed. We become uncertain about the future, wondering if it will just be more of the same. In those moments, it's easy to question whether we actually have the strength to endure yet another gut-wrenching struggle. Sometimes, we just don’t feel strong, as if one more thing will break us. 

After a friend’s divorce, she said, “Seeing the woman my ex left me for in my church was too overwhelming – I couldn’t take seeing them together. I can’t go back there.” When reminders of the most hurtful thing you’ve ever experienced creep into your safe place–a sanctuary and haven from brokenness–the harshness of the enemy’s attack feels as if it is invading every part of your life. It’s like the doors are closing in on you. It feels like suddenly, the place you once found refuge in becomes a battlefield, taking you right back to the betrayal that pierced you so deeply. Your place of comfort is now a trigger, and you feel as though you can’t take the chance of putting yourself in that position again. A way out seems impossible.

Telling a person in this position, “You can do it! You’re stronger than you think!” Can seem unsympathetic to their pain. We’ve all been there before, when the weight of our own personal circumstances felt overwhelming, and hearing someone make this statement to us when we were in the thick of it might have seemed like empty words. However, when we’re anchored in Christ, no matter how painful or disruptive situations and circumstances may be, we are always stronger than we think. 

God’s Word is true. That’s a point-blank-period statement that is reality no matter how you slice it. The Apostle Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV), “But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”  If we listen to what society tells us, we might think this powerful passage of truth seems upside-down; that’s how backwards the world’s standards are. They tell us that we can do anything we want, that we’re the captains of our own lives, and we don’t need to have faith in God. This is not the truth. Real strength doesn’t come from being able to handle everything on our own. It comes from leaning on God, recognizing His power, and humbling ourselves under His strength. This is what real strength is all about. It’s humbling ourselves and letting God’s love and power show us the victory we already have in Christ. This is what overcomes any obstacle. 

When we’re struggling, it’s easy to feel like we’re barely hanging on. But in those very moments, God’s power will shine through our circumstances if we have faith in Him. His grace is all we need. In our times of weakness, He shows us just how strong He really is. The world tells us to dig deep for strength within ourselves. The reality is that we have none to call our own. We must rely on the One that is far stronger and who will give us exactly what we need to persevere and keep going.

The Power of Perseverance

As Christians, we are often called to endure difficult situations. But the Bible doesn’t leave us to figure out how to persevere on our own. James 1:2-4 (NIV) tells us, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Like my friend, when faced with challenges that seem like a gut-punch, our natural reaction might be to shrink back or look for an escape. But God has a purpose in our trials. He doesn’t cause them, but through His power, intelligence, and grace, He will use what the enemy meant for bad for our good. Romans 8:28 (NLT) reminds us, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”  Even going through what we consider to be the worst struggle of our lives, God can use it for His glory. Every struggle we face can strengthen our faith and build our endurance. Through perseverance, we grow in spiritual maturity and character. We may not see what God is doing in our circumstances immediately, but He’s at work, refining us and shaping us to become more like Christ.

Discovering the Strength Within

Faith in God is all we need when our emotional self begins to act irrational. Faith that no matter what you may feel in the moment, God’s grace is sufficient enough that when it’s all said and done, you will look back on the moment and thank God for keeping you in check. Sometimes, we underestimate our own resilience. Through Christ, we’ve got bounce-backability because God has already equipped us with everything that we need to face life’s challenges. Ephesians 6:10 (NIV) says, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”  Our strength is not about what we can do in our own abilities. It’s about tapping into the strength that God provides. The Holy Spirit empowers us to face adversity with courage and confidence, knowing that we are never alone in the battle.

When we look back at the times we’ve already overcome, we can often see how God was working through us, even when we didn’t feel strong. Each step we take in our struggles builds our trust in God’s provision and His faithfulness. The more we lean on Him, the stronger our faith becomes.

The truth is, we’re stronger than we think, not because of who we are, but because of the One who is with us. It’s easy to forget this when we’re in the middle of the struggle, and it feels like our lives are falling apart. But we have to draw near to God no matter what, recognizing His presence and power at work in our lives. He won’t fail us ever. Philippians 4:13 tells us that we can do all things through Jesus Christ, and when we trust this and look to God, we discover that the strength we need has been available all along. 

The Holy Bible, New International Version® (NIV®), copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“I'm Stronger Than I Thought”, written by Kim for https://rescuefromdomesticviolence.blogspot.com© 2025. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.■