Out of Options

Where do you turn when you’re desperate? “Teacher, please do something for my son!” a voice yells from out of the crowd. This father’s distress and desperation are clear. Here is his only child. For years, he has watched helplessly as his son suffers through horrible fits. No medicines have helped. No religious leaders have helped. Even Jesus’ disciples have failed to help. There is nowhere left to go except to Jesus.

In many ways, our world is different from this man’s. When we’re in a difficult situation, there are many places we can go for help. Advice is only a click away on the Internet. Hospitals and clinics are close by. Prescriptions can be filled at the nearest grocery store. Self-help books download to our e-readers in seconds. We’re blessed to be surrounded by support systems.

Every so often, though, we run out of options. We try everything, but nothing helps. There’s nowhere left to go. When we come to the end of ourselves and all our own efforts, we have a choice. We could give up because the situation seems so hopeless. Or, like the man in this story, we can cry out to Jesus for help.

Of course, turning to Jesus in faith should be our first response to a tough situation, not our last resort. Peter gives us this advice: “God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him” (1 Peter 5:7). Isn’t that amazing? The Creator of the universe cares deeply about every part of your life. He wants you to go to him—when you’re desperate, but also long before that—so that he can get involved. The more we do this, the more we’ll have the chance to be amazed at God’s great power at work.

Respond in Prayer

Compassionate Father, you know everything about me already. So often I try to rely on myself or on this world’s help. Help me to come to you with all my burdens, worries, and desperate situations, so I can experience your care and share it with others. Amen.

Leonard Buhler

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® (NIV®).