Glynnis Whitwer
“She came up behind him and touched his cloak and immediately the bleeding stopped.” Luke 8:44 (NIV)
Having three little boys in five years just about did me in. There was no such thing as a routine, as much as I tried to implement one. Just when I thought I had one behavior issue figured out, another one popped up. Parenting books were somewhat helpful, but they didn’t address how to manage three kids, with three unique personalities, at once. What worked for one didn’t work for another. I was drowning and desperate.
My husband and I signed up for a parenting class at church, and received a glimpse of hope. We wanted more than one class, but there was no one to head up a parenting ministry. Our pastoral team was overwhelmed with existing responsibilities. Even though their hearts wanted to offer more, their time was limited. So when one of the pastors asked us to help out with the parenting ministry, we were desperate enough to say “yes.”
As we stepped into a leadership role, we discovered most people declined to help, saying they didn’t feel qualified. “Neither do we,” we replied. But we were ready to try anything to get support, even revealing to everyone that we weren’t perfect parents. For the few years we led the parenting ministry we had to step far out of our comfort zone and risk much in order to get help. But it worked. As we shared our problems with other parents, we received wise counsel and practical suggestions that made a big difference.
Thousands of years ago there was another woman who was just desperate enough to get help. She had been bleeding for 12 years and no one could help her. But when Jesus came to her neighborhood, she was ready to try anything. I imagine she was embarrassed, and weakened because of her bleeding. She must have gathered every ounce of energy and courage to get to Jesus.
The Bible tells us there were crowds following Jesus that day. Yet somehow, this determined woman navigated her way through the rush of humanity to touch the cloak of Jesus, and the Bible tells us she was healed immediately. In spite of the people pressing around Jesus, He knew someone had touched Him. As He stopped, the people stumbled into each other, turning their heads to determine what happened. In a gentle voice, Jesus asked, “Who touched me?”
After everyone denied they had touched Jesus, the woman came trembling before Him. She told Jesus and the assembled crowd why she had touched Jesus and how He had healed her. Jesus then said to the women, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”
Desperation causes people to do different things. Some people make wrong choices, believing their backs are against a wall. Some people go into hiding, hoping a problem will go away. Yet others are desperate enough to do something risky and full of humility to get help. Sometimes God uses other people to help us, and sometime He is the only One who has the answers.
In the difficult times we face, many of us have problems that push us to the point of desperation. It is my prayer that instead of desperation defeating you, it motivates you to seek help. Whether God Himself provides your deliverance, or He uses someone else, trust He already has a plan to help.
Dear Heavenly Father, Only You know the desperation I feel right now. Only You see the troubles that weigh me down. I confess that I don’t have the strength or wisdom to find an answer. However, I trust that You are already planning my deliverance. I trust in Your perfect timing. Please show me what to do next, and direct me to the source of help. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Glynnis’s blog
When You are Running on Empty by Cindi McMenamin
Walk with Me Today, Lord: Inspiring Devotions for Women by Emilie Barnes
Feeling desperate as a mom? Click here for more encouragement, and be sure to sign up for some great mom give-aways, too.
Application Steps:
Identify one problem in your life that seems overwhelming. Commit to telling one person about that problem this week, and asking for prayer.
Reflections:
What happens when we share our weaknesses with other people?
What keeps you from getting help sometimes?
Read James 5:16 below. Why is there healing power in confessing our sins to another person?
Power Verses:
Psalm 142:6, “Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me.” (NIV)
James 5:16, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” (NIV)
© 2009 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
“She came up behind him and touched his cloak and immediately the bleeding stopped.” Luke 8:44 (NIV)
Having three little boys in five years just about did me in. There was no such thing as a routine, as much as I tried to implement one. Just when I thought I had one behavior issue figured out, another one popped up. Parenting books were somewhat helpful, but they didn’t address how to manage three kids, with three unique personalities, at once. What worked for one didn’t work for another. I was drowning and desperate.
My husband and I signed up for a parenting class at church, and received a glimpse of hope. We wanted more than one class, but there was no one to head up a parenting ministry. Our pastoral team was overwhelmed with existing responsibilities. Even though their hearts wanted to offer more, their time was limited. So when one of the pastors asked us to help out with the parenting ministry, we were desperate enough to say “yes.”
As we stepped into a leadership role, we discovered most people declined to help, saying they didn’t feel qualified. “Neither do we,” we replied. But we were ready to try anything to get support, even revealing to everyone that we weren’t perfect parents. For the few years we led the parenting ministry we had to step far out of our comfort zone and risk much in order to get help. But it worked. As we shared our problems with other parents, we received wise counsel and practical suggestions that made a big difference.
Thousands of years ago there was another woman who was just desperate enough to get help. She had been bleeding for 12 years and no one could help her. But when Jesus came to her neighborhood, she was ready to try anything. I imagine she was embarrassed, and weakened because of her bleeding. She must have gathered every ounce of energy and courage to get to Jesus.
The Bible tells us there were crowds following Jesus that day. Yet somehow, this determined woman navigated her way through the rush of humanity to touch the cloak of Jesus, and the Bible tells us she was healed immediately. In spite of the people pressing around Jesus, He knew someone had touched Him. As He stopped, the people stumbled into each other, turning their heads to determine what happened. In a gentle voice, Jesus asked, “Who touched me?”
After everyone denied they had touched Jesus, the woman came trembling before Him. She told Jesus and the assembled crowd why she had touched Jesus and how He had healed her. Jesus then said to the women, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”
Desperation causes people to do different things. Some people make wrong choices, believing their backs are against a wall. Some people go into hiding, hoping a problem will go away. Yet others are desperate enough to do something risky and full of humility to get help. Sometimes God uses other people to help us, and sometime He is the only One who has the answers.
In the difficult times we face, many of us have problems that push us to the point of desperation. It is my prayer that instead of desperation defeating you, it motivates you to seek help. Whether God Himself provides your deliverance, or He uses someone else, trust He already has a plan to help.
Dear Heavenly Father, Only You know the desperation I feel right now. Only You see the troubles that weigh me down. I confess that I don’t have the strength or wisdom to find an answer. However, I trust that You are already planning my deliverance. I trust in Your perfect timing. Please show me what to do next, and direct me to the source of help. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Glynnis’s blog
When You are Running on Empty by Cindi McMenamin
Walk with Me Today, Lord: Inspiring Devotions for Women by Emilie Barnes
Feeling desperate as a mom? Click here for more encouragement, and be sure to sign up for some great mom give-aways, too.
Application Steps:
Identify one problem in your life that seems overwhelming. Commit to telling one person about that problem this week, and asking for prayer.
Reflections:
What happens when we share our weaknesses with other people?
What keeps you from getting help sometimes?
Read James 5:16 below. Why is there healing power in confessing our sins to another person?
Power Verses:
Psalm 142:6, “Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me.” (NIV)
James 5:16, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” (NIV)
© 2009 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.
Labels: Marriage, Parenting, Perseverance, Prayer, Trusting God, Waiting On God, Walking in Faith
5 Comments:
A plan of rescue already in place... I seem to always be looking for that one book, or that management procedure that will transform my life.
As I sit here, ready to face another day, I am looking my desperation full in the face. It is big and ugly. I cringe because of fear but also the fact that it's got me. But, a plan of rescue already in place. Oh that changes things. I have my hero coming for me. I have no idea how this desperation will be defeated, but that doesn't matter. I don't have to. I just have to wait in complete faith that my hero is coming.
Dear God, please allow my mind to remember who my true hero is and to drop the things that are worthless. Please be my Hero today.
Thank you for the devotion today. I too feel that desperation is standing right in front of me as a road block. I have recently moved to new city where I don't know anyone but my immediate family, and have been looking for a job, with no luck so far. How easy it has become to get mired down. Thankfully, today, as I read your devotion, I was reminded that there is One whom I can turn to who will never let me walk alone.
Thank you for this encouraging devotional. I pray the Lord will enable me to turn desperation into determination to seek His will and guidance. God is so AWESOME and loves us more than we can imagine. Right now my heart is breaking for a granddaughter as she turns 18 today. She has made some bad choices in her life the past few years. I pray daily for the Lord to convict her and that she will repent and return to His will. Please join me in this prayer. God's word says if we pray according to His will believing He will answer, He will. I claim this promise for her life and praise Him for His mercy.
Thank you...I have 4 children...3 within 5 years and one 5 years later...what a time of stretching...now 3 are fairly grown up...and still struggles and stretching...God never quits conforming us to the image of His wondrous Son! A long lesson of dependence and obedience as He leads us on.
HE IS OUR HOPE!
I just wanted you to know how much I enjoy these short devotionals. They have been such a help to me and God has spoken very clearly to me through these. Thanks so much. God bles you in your ministry
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