“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,” Ephesians 3:20 (KJV)

There are times in life, when circumstances arise that leave us wondering how things are going to turn out (even after we pray). We simply cannot see a favorable outcome to a particular situation, and it can cause us to become restless in our spirits, in spite of our faith.

We know that we need to take everything to the Lord in prayer, but sometimes when our hearts are overwhelmed, this can be easier said than done. The mind feels like a tangled ball of yarn, with thoughts going around and around inside your head like a goldfish in a bowl.

It makes no sense pretending to know what we’re doing, because we don’t; nor can we attempt to fix it in our own human frailty, because we can’t. Yet many times we try. Why? Because it’s human nature to want to be in control of the things that concern us. We hate not knowing, we hate being helpless, we hate coming before the Lord floundering and unsure.

Many times though, this is where the Lord meets us: at the very end of ourselves. Out of answers, out of patience, out of resilience. Out of every resource left where we would be able to claim the credit for ourselves. Here is where we have to depend on Him and Him alone.

Maybe today, the thing that you cannot fix is a pain or heartache that no amount of consolation or solace can ease. You put on a brave face in public, but privately you grieve and nurse that hurt. Or it might be, having to be patient in the midst of waiting. Waiting for a call back from a job interview; waiting for word from your doctor’s office about those dreaded test results. It’s driving you crazy, but there’s absolutely nothing you can do but wait.

At times like these, we might even find ourselves struggling to formulate a coherent prayer; sitting silently in God’s presence trying to put into words what we’re actually feeling. But God. Our merciful, Heavenly Father understands and sees our hearts. His Word says, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” Romans 8:26 (NIV)

I take much comfort in this verse of scripture. Not just for the verse itself, but also from knowing that it was put there because the Lord knew we were going to need it. He knew that we would encounter days of wordless groans; days when things simply wouldn’t make sense to us, and nothing we do in our own strength would make it better.

There are always going be situations and circumstances that leave us stumped and at our wits end. Mountains that do not seem to budge, in spite of our many prayers and tears. Quandaries that seem to have no answer or solution. But in the midst of it all, God is faithful and able, and we can place our care and trust in Him, because He is the only one with the infinite wisdom and power to fix all things.

“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 (KJV)