I keep a baby monitor on my nightstand. It’s set up so I can see and, more importantly, so I can
hear our 19-month old when she calls out in the night. Most mornings I’m woken up by one of my children calling for me. The oldest three come directly to me for help, but my littlest one isn’t old enough to do that yet. So, she calls from her crib, “Mommy!”
I must admit, there are some mornings I don’t get up immediately when I hear her first call for help. Those are the mornings I take a risk—a risk that another little person will beat me to her aide. And, depending on the mood of said little ones it can be helpful or far from it.
I revisited these moments in my memory today when I found myself feeling desperate for help. You see, it’s really hard for me to admit that I need help. It’s a flaw of mine that I’m quite familiar with. It can be even harder when I finally do admit that I need help but my needs are met with adversity (whether it’s by an outer voice or an inner voice). A hint of inconvenience or invalidation and immediately I am under attack—in my heart, in my mind, and in my spirit.
That’s when it hit me. Pleas and cries for help are open doors. If an ally doesn’t walk in, the enemy will.
“…Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 NIV)
Immediately, a scenario plays out in my head. It’s a familiar one—one that I’ve seen before on several nature programs. An injured baby animal calls out to alert its mother, but in doing so it also alerts a hungry predator. The predator races the mother for her young. Some are fortunate. Others are lost.
There have been plenty of times when I’ve cried out for help and in turn felt even more vulnerable, alone, or even under attack. On the other hand, there have also been times when I’ve called out for help and have felt completely cared for and supported.
What’s the difference? Sometimes it’s how I ask. Sometimes it’s when I ask. And, because it’s so hard for me to ask for help I will often times wait until I’m at my breaking point before I admit that I need it. Because of that, my timing is usually very inappropriate and my attitude dresses to match. When my desperation speaks with hostility, I’m usually met with hostility and then the door gets left open for mental, emotional, and spiritual attack. I placed myself in enemy territory.
You see, when I ask for help a distress signal goes out—like a radio call or a radar frequency. If my heart and mind are in enemy territory (leading with fruits of the flesh/opposite the fruits of the spirit: hate, despair, irritation, impatience, spite, corruption, deceit, hostility, and unrestraint), my plea for help is like exposing a wound to a starved shark. If my heart and mind are in check (leading with the fruits of the spirit from Galatians 5:23-24: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control), then my plea for help is like exposing a wound to an excellent doctor.
A lot of times it really just boils down to who I ask. If I don’t act fast and bring my wounds before God first I may quickly perish—quit, abandon hope, consider harm, withdraw from relationships, and wish for failure or death. Thankfully, even in the midst of the enemy, the outcome is much more hopeful when I cry out to God. The way He rushes in is far better and much quicker than even the most protective mother.
When I call out to God He hears me.
“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.” (Psalm 34:17 ESV)
He’s a God that protects.
“But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.” (II Thessalonians 3:3 NKJV)
He’s a God that defends.
“The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him.”
(Nahum 1:7 NKJV)
And, He’s a God that saves.
“The God of my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, My stronghold and my refuge; My Savior, You save me from violence. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.” (2 Samuel 22:3-4 NKJV)
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