Sometimes when you cry out for help, you experience immediate relief, but other times discomfort lasts much longer than you would like. You might worry that God doesn’t hear you. Rest assured, He is near and His timing is always right.

The next time you feel overwhelmed by stress, remember Jesus’ example in the above verse. When crowds sought His attention, Jesus frequently slipped away by Himself to pray. When you are upset, take a moment, find a quiet place and ask Him to calm your troubled heart and grant you peace of mind.

How deeply do you believe? The book of Jeremiah says, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” When you believe with your whole heart, amazing things will happen.

Dr. Norman Vincent Peale said, “Have great hopes and dare to go all out for them. Have great dreams and dare to live them. Have tremendous expectations and believe in them.” Too often we underestimate our own potential and set our sights too low. God has planted seeds which require work and faith to blossom. With faith and work nothing is impossible.

Challenges and obstacles are valuable tools for your spiritual growth. The winds of change help shape your faith; define your character and give you the opportunity to rise to life’s challenges with fortitude. Of course, when you’re in the eye of the storm, it can be difficult to see your many blessings… until you trust God’s plan.

Wasting the gifts God has given us is one of life’s great tragedies. Most of us have many talents to offer, but unless we focus on them and ask God for help in applying our gifts to help others no one will ever benefit.