“The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me; I was overcome by distress and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord: ‘Lord, save me!’” (Psalm 116:3-4, NIV)
“I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.” (Psalm 116:1, NIV)
“Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.” (Psalm 116:2, NIV)
I still remember the day I finally pieced the puzzle together and understood my little girl’s terminal diagnosis. The realization hit me hard, and everything I thought I knew felt buried. I had never felt anything quite like the emotional free fall with no bottom in sight. For weeks and months, I wrestled with a question so many ask: God, are You even here?
Maybe you’ve been blindsided by leadership and asked God that same question. You said yes to God’s call, but you didn’t know it would ask this much of you. Whether it was a book launch that didn’t move the needle or a cutting comment you can quote word for word months later, on the outside, you are taking steps to do what you believe God has called you to do. But on the inside, you wonder if this all might be too much.
The enemy’s whispers seem louder in these moments. The battles of leadership often don’t appear as battles to anyone else watching. “This battle is too much for you. God doesn’t even hear your cries.” When you’re already drowning, that lie sounds an awful lot like the truth.
In Psalm 116, the psalmist doesn’t hold back any of the details. He doesn’t try to pull himself up by his bootstraps. He cries out: “Lord, save me!” I appreciate that the exclamation point is deliberate. It captures the urgency of a heart with nothing left but begging.
I’m so glad the psalmist’s situation didn’t have to be a certain type for God to hear it. The reason he could keep going was that “he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.” God turned His ear toward him. His cry reached all the way to heaven.
No Battle is Too Big for God
When my daughter Taylor’s diagnosis flattened me, I learned that crying out to God is not weakness. God’s love and compassion were near, even when our feelings insisted otherwise.
You don’t have to manage your battle before you bring it to God. You don’t need eloquent words or steady emotions. You need only a willing heart that turns toward Him and says the most honest prayer there is: Lord, save me. He hears that prayer. He always has. And the psalmist tells us how he responded to being heard— “I will call on him as long as I live.” Once you’ve experienced a God who listens, you never want to stop talking to Him.
Friend, no battle is too big for the God who is already with you in it.
Lord, the feeling of being overwhelmed is so familiar to me. This situation has taken everything I had, and my strength is gone. I cry out to You. You are the only One who can refresh my spirit. Your Word promises that You hear me, so I’m trusting that promise over my feelings today. Saturate my weary soul with Your renewing grace. Though this battle is enormous, You are greater. You have not forgotten me, and You never will. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Rachel’s newest book is Praying Through Life’s Battles. There are 90 days of praying through the exact moments when the fight feels bigger than you are. Preorder your copy and start reading a digital copy today! Or get her free prayer battle plan at https://battleprayers.com
Question: What is your greatest need for prayer as a leader right now? I’d love to pray for you.
About Rachel Wojo
Rachel Wojo is the Speak Up Growth Groups director, author, public speaker, and podcaster who hosts Bible reading challenges on her popular blog. Her biblical approach and life circumstances influence women to find strength and hope in everyday situations. The ideal desperate pray-er to shed light on asking God questions, Rachel’s journey includes losing her mother to leukemia, her adult special needs daughter to a rare neurologically degenerative disease, and her father to illness. She is the author of Desperate Prayers: Embracing the Power of Prayer in Life’s Darkest Moments. Mostly, Rachel is crazy in love with Matt, mom to six on earth and two in heaven. Check out her newest book, Praying Through Life’s Battles. Connect with Rachel here.
Rachel, I love your openness regarding your struggles. Truly our battles may seem unseen, but our ever-seeing God proves otherwise.
Thank you for this blog!
A co-author in Canada…Ruth Coghill
This resonates on so many levels- as you know our similarities in life. Thank you for opening your heart and battles to us so we know we’re not alone in it. Love this message. Thank you!