Solomon says in Proverbs 12:25, “Anxiety in the heart of a man weighs it down.” When we are in the middle of a crisis—a severe medical diagnosis, a financial collapse, some form of tribulation—it is common to experience a number of negative reactions. We might feel overwhelmed, become despondent, or even conclude that God has abandoned us.
How can we more faithfully cope with life’s biggest challenges?
Prayer is a great start. Hannah provides an instructive example in 1 Samuel 1. The Lord had closed Hannah’s womb. This left her childless, a condition particularly upsetting in the ancient world. She cried and would not eat. To make matters worse, her husband Elkanah’s other wife Peninnah “would provoke her bitterly.” Elkanah showed Hannah special favor, but not even his kindness and patience would alleviate her suffering. It was a little silly for him to think that, even on his most generous days, he could be “better to her than ten sons.” Hannah was “greatly distressed” and “wept bitterly.”
But then she prayed. She “poured out her soul before the Lord.” Eli the priest saw her and joined her prayers with his. And, notice this: in 1 Sam. 1:18, Hannah “went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.” She worshiped and got on with life. But nothing had actually changed! It would be days before she’d be with Elkanah again, weeks before she’d suspect that God was intervening her situation, months before the birth of a healthy baby boy whom she named Samuel, “because I have asked him of the Lord.” We learn that just the act of pouring out her tribulation in prayer was therapeutic. Prayer worked in Hannah’s heart long before it changed her circumstances.
We can identify three ingredients to the sort of prayer that helps us find peace in the midst of pain:
Know that God Desires to Hear. Scripture invites us to cast “all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). God listens to our communication. “The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:5-6). I must never feel like my problems are too small to take to Him. I must never feel like I’m going to wear Him out by asking. Jesus’ parable of the unjust judge teaches me to “at all times … pray and not to lose heart” (Luke 18:1-8).
Know that God is Bigger than Any Problem. God is Creator, and there is no created thing that God does not rule over. He can change any diagnosis, any verdict,
any hardship, any obstacle—anything. When it comes to God’s power there is no “if You can” (Mark 9:23). Elijah’s prayer moved Him to suspend rain for three years (James 5:16-18); Hezekiah’s prayer moved Him to change His mind and extend his life fifteen years (2 Kings 20:1-6); Daniel’s prayer moved Him to release the nation of Israel from bondage (Daniel 9:20-23). Keeping this truth in view is essential to believing prayer (James 1:6).
Trust that God Always Has Your Best Interests in Mind. Our parents don’t always give us what we want, because from their higher perspective, they know it would not be best for us or for others. Similarly, God doesn’t always say “Yes” to our deepest supplications. He said “No” to Paul (2 Cor. 12:7-10). He said “No” to Jesus (Matt. 26:39). He blessed them both in other ways.
Romans 8:28, 32 says, “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose … He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” We have an assurance that, if God leaves the problem in place, it’s for our good. We remain lavishly blessed with the greatest Gift that He could ever give.
With the above thoughts in mind, when we reach out to God in prayer, “the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).