Have you ever gone to a party when you had a serious problem on your mind? You tried to chitchat in a friendly way with the people who were there. But all the time you were talking, your heart was aching.
The people at the party all seemed to have their lives under control—pretty carefree, no pressing problems, at least none that you could tell. Maybe you started to share your heart just a little with someone, but the person quickly changed the subject before you had a chance to divulge what was really bothering you. She wanted to talk about herself and her interests. So you clammed up and pretended that nothing was wrong. Though you would never have done it, you wanted to cry out, “Stop! I’m hurting! Can anyone help? Or does anyone even care?” Surrounded by people, you felt all alone because no one was interested in listening. If you are a man, you probably just stuffed the problem deeper inside and acted as if it didn’t exist. If you are a woman, you may have cried yourself to sleep that night.
Man or woman, what you needed is exactly what God will do for you. The Psalmist wrote, “You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry” (Psalm 10:17).
God listens! He doesn’t interrupt when you pour out your heart to Him. He doesn’t pay attention half-heartedly because He has other things on His mind. In fact, He has all the time of eternity to listen to you.
And He will encourage you! As you pour out your heart to Him, He will say to you, as He did to His disciples when He was here on earth, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid” (Matthew 14:27).
Why don’t you bow your heart in prayer to Him right now? The God who cares for you will listen. He promised!
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