What Can I Help You With?

“I lift my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let our foot slip- He who watches over you will not slumber.” Psalm 121: 1-5 (NIV)

Clutching my phone in my hand, I stared mindlessly into the distance. Painful thoughts swirled through my head causing my hand to tighten just a bit too long and suddenly the automated voice of Siri sprang to life, “What can I help you with?”. Startled back to reality, my thoughts scrolled through my unanswered questions. What do I need help with? And who really is the source of my help?

Life changes, and not always in ways that you expect. Relationships can unexpectedly fade. Sickness can suddenly invade our bodies. Finances can dwindle. Children can make choices that cause grief. What is the first response when something threatens your normal? Fear or flight? Anger or shrinking back in resignation? Power to take control or giving up in defeat? Who do you run to for your strength when you are fearful?

When change brings fear, we can find comfort in the scripture, “I lift my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let our foot slip- He who watches over you will not slumber.” Psalm 121: 1-5 (NIV).

In the midst of pain and fear, a deep comfort can be ours when we realize that we have help from the Creator of heaven and earth. He knows each one of us personally, and He watches over us and and never takes His eyes off of us, even to take a quick catnap. He is there to guide our footsteps and make sure that our feet are on solid ground. 

It’s okay to realize that I can feel afraid without living afraid. Fear can be the catalyst to look up and cling to Jesus, choosing to trust Him rather than to trust the response to fix it on my own, run to others for help, or give up in defeat. I can choose to fix my eyes on Jesus rather than my uncomfortable new circumstances, and be resolved to trust in His mighty power. He is my source of help. 

I hold up my phone and begin to speak, “That’s okay Siri, I don’t need your help after all. I’ve got all the help I need!”.

Father, thank you for always walking beside me. Help me to look up to see You when I am tempted to look to others. Guide my feet, even when I can’t see the path through my fear and pain. I am so grateful for Your unending love and compassion to meet me in my deepest fear and pain. In Jesus’ Name – Amen.