Cindi

McMenamin

Author

Cindi McMenamin is an award-winning writer and national speaker who helps women strengthen their relationship with God and others. She is the author of 16 books including When Women Walk Alone (more than 140,000 copies sold), God’s Whispers to a Woman’s Heart, and Drama Free: Finding Peace When Emotions Overwhelm You. For more on her books and ministry, and free resources to strengthen your soul, marriage, and parenting, see her website: www.StrengthForTheSoul.com.

More from Cindi Mcmenamin

4 Habits That Will Shipwreck Your Faith

He's Always Listening

I called up my friend, bursting with news to share.

“Guess what?” I blurted out as soon as she answered.

“Sorry, I’m on the other line,” she replied, cutting me off. “Can I call you back?”

So I called another friend. No answer. Finally, I called my husband.

“I’m in the middle of something right now,” he said, rather curtly. “I’ll get back to you later.”

Three attempts to share what was on my heart… all to no avail.

Then, as if remembering a friend on standby, I called on the One who is always available when I want to talk.

"Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge" David sang in Psalms 62:8 O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. Interlude OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) (NIV) about this God who listens.

I bowed my head and prayed. I told God all that was on my heart. And you know what? He listened.

Why do I not go to Him first when I have something to say? God doesn’t have call-waiting. He’s never on another line. And my prayers will never go to His voicemail or get an automated response. He’s never got something else that’s more pressing, or more important than what it is I want to share with Him. Like a Daddy eager to hear from His child, He is always listening. So why do I not tell Him first?

We often have something on our hearts we just need to share with someone. Some exciting news. Something discouraging that’s weighing us down. A bill we can’t pay. A concern for something that might happen. Who do you call when there’s something on your heart and mind that you need to share? I’ve learned from experience that if I always go to someone else, I’m eventually going to be disappointed – by their unavailability, their less-than-enthusiastic response, or maybe their lack of response altogether.

David proclaimed in Psalms 3:4 I cried out to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy mountain. Interlude OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) (NIV): “I cry aloud to the Lord, and He answers me from His holy mountain."

Did you catch that? He isn’t on another call. He isn’t too busy to pick up the call. He isn’t distracted by another incoming call. He answers me.

As you go throughout this day, with all that comes your way, tell God about it first. Of course, He already knows what you’re about to say. But by telling Him your news first, you’re reassuring Him – and yourself – that He is the single most important One in your life. And you have a guarantee that He’s listening.

Thank you, Lord, that You are never too busy, unavailable, or disinterested to hear from us. Thank You that, instead, Your ear is always tuned to us. Help us come to You first as You wait for us to share all that is on our hearts and minds.

When God Steps In

Have you ever considered that some of the drama in your life could actually be God saving you from a more dangerous situation somewhere down the road?

It occurred to me recently that since God knows the entire script of my life – and yours – He can save us from what we never even knew was a threat.

I was reading Psalm 71 recently and highlighted verse 15 in particular, where the psalmist sings:

“My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds, of your saving acts all day long –though I know not how to relate them all” (Psalm 71, NIV).

I started reflecting on God’s “saving acts all day long” and how many I might not even know about. I then started wondering if that is why some of the drama happens in my life. Could God be saving me from more dramatic and dangerous circumstances I never even considered?

I recently complained to God when I missed my turnoff on the way home from a speaking event and was inconvenienced by a detour in my attempt to get back on the freeway. Yet as I came upon a multi-car accident near home, I found myself thanking God that I wasn’t on the freeway minutes earlier when it had happened.

How many times might God have saved you all day long and, like the psalmist says, there were too many incidents for you to sum them up? Or maybe, like me, you were so caught up in the drama of not getting what you wanted that you failed to see what God had ultimately saved you from?

How many times have you seen Him at work:

Wow, it looks like that job I really wanted could have turned out to be a disaster. I’m so glad that it didn’t work out.
If I hadn’t forgotten something back at the house, I would’ve missed that important call.
I’m so glad now that he never called back. I may have been spared from a troubled relationship.

Yes, the Writer of your script and mine may allow unforeseen circumstances to come our way, but instead of stressing out because we’re inconvenienced, let’s instead thank Him for the bigger drama that He just might be protecting us from. Perhaps that’s one of the reasons Paul instructs us to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) , NIV).

Prayer: Lord, how many times have I complained about my circumstances when you were really protecting me from something far worse? Help me to trust You with all that I cannot see, knowing You are in control and You have my best at heart.