You try to inhale but the air is just not there… you inhale again, but the weight remains on your chest… You feel as if a belt is wrapped around your upper body and the distress remains… There are many times when life brings us to this point, the point where we feel like we can’t breathe… an illness, a loss, a betrayal, financial struggles… and each time it’s like a weight sits on your chest and you can’t inhale, the breath is not there.
What if there was someone to turn to? What if there is someone who cares and is willing and able to do something about the distress we know..?
I am reminded of the many people who came into contact with Jesus when faced with distressing trials; those with illnesses, harmful relationships, falsely accused, struggling financially, and facing death or having lost a loved one… maybe even a child. Each one received an answer from Jesus, but only after answering a question He asked of them, “Do you believe?” One man, who was lame since birth, was asked by Jesus, “Do you want to be healed?” Why such questions? Of course he wanted his distress to end! But… that’s not what Jesus was asking; everyone wants pleasure, to know no pain or suffering, but Jesus is offering more than that…. to not just heal the body, but to heal our soul. God wants us to know more than pleasure; He wants us to know rest and contentment from the distress of struggling with sin, shame, and death. The avenue to this rest and contentment is through faith in Jesus Christ and His completed works of salvation. To some whose suffering He healed, Jesus said, “It is your faith, your confidence in me that has healed you.” Others He healed in order to create a faith in them. But in every case it was by the will of God, through the power of His Spirit, and by His love, mercy, and grace manifested in Jesus the Son that each person was healed. God is willing and able to heal both body and soul; we can receive His healing by faith, for “All things are possible for the one who believes.” (Mark 9:23)
When taking the third nitro pill and the distress was alleviated… I could breathe again. What an amazing feeling to know that relief! How much more so is the joy we can know by receiving a never-ending rest because our faith is in Jesus; our Savior who not only heals the body but gives rest to our souls? Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness… won’t you turn to him today, casting all your cares on Him, and let Him care for your soul?
Choose wisely…
When Darkness seems to hide His face, I rest on His unchanging grace; In every high and stormy gale, My anchor holds within the veil…
In Christ alone;
my cornerstone
Weak made strong; in the Savior’s love
Through the storm, He is Lord, Lord of all!
Praying 4 U
Written by David Brown: David Brown is a husband, father, grandfather, Pastor with a Masters of Religious Studies and a Professor of Philosophy and Comparative Religions. Dave is the Associate Pastor of Pemberton’s First Baptist Church.
