I don't want to state that we have to believe God just for great things (miracles, deliverance), it does have that application but I suggest it can simply mean that we believe God hears, that he cares, and that he desires to intervene in some meaningful way in every aspect of life when we seek Him, even the more simple personal struggles.
Let me also say that I believe in being entirely honest with God (God is truth and in Him is no lie). In other words, don't pretend you're having a good day if you are under a cloud of oppression. Don't gin up a positive confession because that is what you feel you must do, simply tell God straight up how you are feeling. While it is true that we must command our souls to bless the Lord but let us not forget honesty, one man honesty said to Jesus, "Lord, I believe, help though my unbelief". Honest heartfelt confession to the Savior of his struggle.
What I am suggesting is that along with that honest confession let there be reserved within your heart the concept that God will hear me and that God will be merciful and I can expect a meaningful touch from Him.
What Actually Happens When We Cry Out
It really is a mystery how it all happens but what we know is that grace gives us the ability to do in the moment it's received, what seemed impossible 10 minutes ago. I am distressed, in fear, perhaps even in panic and in a desperate moment I cry out to God, I ask for His help and I allow myself to believe He can and will help.
I persist until I feel something happening, it can begin small and then grow or it can come all at once but His Spirit begins to work and I am bolstered, I feel up to the challenge, I feel grace to meet the day.
This is the short term fix but something else more wonderful begins to happen. Over time I begin to gain confidence in Him, I begin to know when I seek Him He will help me. I cherish this confidence so very much!! Then as more time passes what happens is I feel anxious less often, I feel panic less often, depression becomes a distant memory and what I am left with is a substance that upholds my life.
Neither I, nor anyone else, can exactly prescribe how He will connect with you as you seek Him. It has to be in your own way and in a way that works for you. For some it will be vocal, for some it will be silent. For some it will be pacing while for others it will be sitting. These are postures we observe in any given prayer meeting, everyone has a different way of connecting with God. For some it will be reading for others during a time of silent meditation. If it is not working one way then try other ways but don't lose heart, hold to this foundation. He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. I can assure you it will take place if you are sincere and persistent.
What if our condition is our own fault?
It is true that on many occasions we are stressed because of things that either are or things we perceive are our own fault (I'm not being a good Christian, why am I the way I am, why can't I be different). The lie that the enemy is going to tell us is that because "you're not perfect" and because "the distress is your own fault, God is going to let you to suffer". He tells us, "what makes you think God cares?"
This is why I say unequivocally that you must strive to reserve a place in your heart where you believe that he is and that he will reward those that seek him. Perhaps we may think that seeking God is for just the great events of life, the big decisions such as where I will live, who will I marry, will I go to university. But my experience in this personal relationship of ours with God is that He wants us to seek Him for all things that affect us. We are told in Peter's epistle: 1Pe 5:7 KJV Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
We're also told: Heb 4:15-16 KJV 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yetwithout sin. 16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
This is the foundation to believing that he is and that he is a rewarder of those that seek Him for their distresses with their needs etc. Hold onto this Let's reserve within our hearts the knowledge that he cares about our emotional and spiritual well-being.
In this small essay let me give my own personal testimony. In and throughout my life, just like anyone else, I have experienced all of the above but it has been my joy to see God working for me in many of the distresses of life. In fact I would go as far as to say that calling out to God in my distress has actually become a way of life to me and it is my earnest desire to impart that confidence in God to others as well so that they might find God to be a merciful high priest for them.
Conclusion
Again, the foundation of this entire essay is this that God cares and that God answers in some tangible way by filling our spirit with peace and joy in the midst of emotional and spiritual suffering. I have gotten into the way of asking God sometimes every single morning for the quickening of the Spirit so that I can endure the trials of the day. And it is my opinion and my experience that God has comforted me, strengthened me and filled me with enough of His Spirit to face each challenge without being overwhelmed. May this too be your testimony.
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