I’ve heard of stories about people actually choking to death in restaurants all because they were afraid to call out for help. In a way, that’s strange. Help is all around them, yet they choose not to say anything. I’ve never choked on food before, but I did have something happen to me one Saturday morning that made me realize how important it is to call out when you need help.
I wanted to sleep in, so I asked my friend Judy to come by my house at 9:00 a.m. to get me up. Having the luxury of an extra hour of sleep was wonderful and sleep I did. In fact, I snored soundly all the way up until 9:00 a.m. on the dot! I know it was nine because the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was the clock on my dresser. I laid there thinking, “Well, I’m sure Judy will be here soon.”
After about 20 minutes, I began to wonder. Another 20 minutes passed, and still no Judy. By 10 o’clock, my arm was really hurting from lying on it so long. I began to panic. An hour had passed. Perhaps Judy had an accident? Would she be able to get to a phone?
My husband wasn’t due back until late that afternoon. What if I had to lie in this painful position all day long? The panic began to tighten my throat, and I felt my breathing get short and labored.
After an hour and a half had passed and I was desperately praying that God would keep me calm, I heard a noise in the kitchen. Somebody banging a pot! Closing the refrigerator door. I screamed out, “Who’s there?”
And, from the far recesses of the other side of the house, I heard my friend Judy answer. I was so relieved but, at the same time, anxious and even angry.
“Where were you?!” I demanded as she rushed into my bedroom.
“I’ve been here all the time, Joni,” she said, “I got here a few seconds before 9 o’clock. You were sleeping so soundly, I wanted to let you get more rest, so I kept really quiet. I figured you’d call me when you woke up!”
I was greatly relieved, but I felt really stupid. Here I suffered, my arm in pain, getting anxious over absolutely nothing, all because I didn’t call out for help.
Isaiah 55 says, “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.” You may be in pain today, you may be getting anxious, feeling panic rise in your throat. Perhaps you’re struggling emotionally or even physically. Have the sense to call out for help from the Lord, will you? He’s there. He’s willing to be found. Isaiah said, “… he is near.” It’s senseless to not ask for his help when He is ready and willing and able to come to your aid. Don’t let another minute go by. His help is only a prayer away.
Used by permission of
JONI AND FRIENDS
P.O. Box 3333
Agoura Hills, CA 93176
© Joni and Friends