HELP!

Last weekend, I found myself on a snowy highway stuck in a car for over an hour. I was heading home from a long week of travel and was not in the most patient mood. I was with my family and I could tell by the looks on their faces that I was not responding well. Eventually, we decided to get off the closed highway by driving the wrong way on the shoulder, heading up the exit on-ramp, and taking another route which added 100 miles to our drive. When we got to the other highway, it was closed too. This is when I got out of the car and screamed some things into the air that had been going through my mind and heart for the last several hours.

Although I have other good qualities, this was not my best moment. I was not happy with myself and I know my family did not know how to help me. Who knows what the other people in their cars were thinking. But, at that moment, when I was at a very bad place personally, I felt the acceptance of God. As I looked out over the beautiful white snowy landscape, I was reminded of the grace of God. I knew in my heart that Jesus understood my frustration because He made me. It says in Psalm 139 that God is "intimately aquainted with all of my ways." I love this!! Jesus knows the deepest parts of my nature and He still loves me. He has not missed one moment of my life. He understands me more than I understand myself. So, I prayed a prayer that I often pray when I am at the end of myself, "Lord, You made me this way, please HELP!"

When I am seeking help from the Lord, I usually search through my Bible to find an answer. One verse that really was speaking to me was Hebrews 2:18; "Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to HELP those who are being tempted." Later in Hebrews 4:15-16 it says..."Jesus was tempted in ALL things, yet without sin"... and that we can ..."draw near with confidence (come boldly) to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to HELP in time of need."

I love this freedom in my relationship with Jesus. I don't have to filter anything that I come to Him with. His throne of grace is open to me at ALL times. And He understands what I am suffering because He came to earth in the flesh and suffered everything that I will ever suffer. So when I was experiencing what I look back on as a 46-year old temper tantrum, I know that as I brought this frustration to my God, He did not judge me. He did not say, "Kim, there are other people suffering more right now." He said, "Kim, come to Me. I love you just the way you are right now. I will help you. You are important to Me. I understand how you are feeling." He received me into His arms of grace and mercy. He comforted me and helped me to make it through. So, if you are stuck in any way, go boldly to the throne of grace and pray a simple prayer. HELP!