God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. – Psalm 46:1 (KJV)

Our minivan broke down on the way home from a road trip this weekend. We stopped at a convenience store, located just off of the interstate about an hour from our city, for a quick stop. Everything was fine when we arrived, but when we tried to crank the car to finish our trip, the car wouldn’t start. My first reaction was the same one I’ve always had when something doesn’t go according to plan: I got irritated and angry. Not wanting to be a bad example for the kids, however, I kept the anger in. Then, I did what is typically my second reaction when things don’t go according to plan: I tried to fix the problem myself. I tried one thing that I hoped would work, but it didn’t. I then called my mechanic. At his direction, I tried two more things. Nothing. Then, I tried to find a local rental car company that would deliver a car to the site, but the only one I could find that offers such a service was closed for the day. My next thought was to call a taxi service, but I could buy a new car for the cost of taxi fare from where we were to my town, so that didn’t make sense. Finally, I did what I always do last – but should always do first – I asked God for help. After a quick prayer, it was obvious what I needed to do.

Our Sunday night services had already started at church, but I texted a couple of friends whom I thought might glance at their phones during the service. Both of them did, and before long one of them was on his way to fetch us. This same friend, being well connected with a car rental company owner, called his buddy to arrange for a car. Thanks to my friend and his friend, we now have the transportation we need to manage our family’s busy schedule while our car is being repaired. The only thing that remains is for the minivan to get fixed, and I am confident that God already has the repair of our minivan provided for.

God wants His children to let Him bear their burdens, and the way we let Him do so is by asking Him to do so. I got no help last night until I asked for it, and very often we don’t get help from God until we do the same. When something doesn’t go our way, we can allow the stress of the situation to generate an unspiritual response. Or, we can use that stress as a trigger to pray to God for immediate help – help for calm, for peace, and for the solutions we need. Psalm 46:1 (KJV) says that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” To benefit from the refuge, though, we have to first run to it.

The next time a physical, mental, or spiritual challenge comes your way, use it as a trigger to ask God to help you. When (not if) the challenge comes back, pray again. Pray every time it flares up, even if you have to pray several times during just a few minutes. Before long you’ll find that God has control of your challenge, and when He’s in control of the situation, you no longer have to worry about the challenge controlling you.