When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:17-18 ESV
I once heard evangelist Winkey Pratney share a story about a young woman who was mentally and emotionally disturbed. She fled the country, abandoning her husband and children. This woman wanted to get away from it all, to run from the pressures of life that had apparently been weighing her down.
The distressed young woman fled to a foreign country, where she subsequently contracted a terrible, life-threatening illness. A period of time went by, and she was unable to earn a living due to her health problems. Penniless, she found herself on a ship, headed home. She had determined that she would not go back to her husband and children. Instead, she would go to her brother’s house.
Standing at the ship’s rail, this hopeless young lady had a sudden desire to jump overboard. Though she had not made any indication to others onboard that she was contemplating this act, she determined to end it all. Suddenly she felt a tap on her shoulder. Turning around, she faced a man, a stranger.
“Don’t do it,” was all he said.
Flabbergasted, she made the decision not to kill herself. She reached shore with the others on board, and went immediately to her brother’s home. She was so very ill that all she could do was lie on the floor, vomiting blood. This poor woman was without hope.
Suddenly, lying there, she felt God’s presence in the room. She called out to him. Like a dream, He was there, with her. Miraculously, he healed her, both body and mind. She was made completely and totally whole, and returned once again to her family, where God continued His work of restoration.
Winkey Pratney enjoyed the telling of this story immensely. You see, that young woman was his mother, and when God healed her, He began a healing that would include the entire family, including Winkey. He is forever grateful that God chose to heal his mother, body, mind and spirit. But isn’t that just like our supernatural God? Isn’t He is interested in every part of us?
Maybe you’ve been at a low point in your life.
You’re standing at the ship’s railing contemplating your choices. Oh, friend! God stands behind you, hand on your shoulder, crying out, “Don’t do it!” Turn to Him and be healed!
Challenging Thought: Think of a time when the Lord delivered you from an exceptionally low place. Today, take some time to thank Him.
Read more devotions like this one in a new book Janice co-authored with Louise Looney titled An Overcoming Walk of Peaks and Valleys, now available on Amazon!
