"I will say of the LORD, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'" Psalm 91:2 (NIV)

As a single woman in my twenties, I took a trip to San Francisco for my job.

Not only did I work, but I made time to play. My favorite part of the trip was a bike ride across the Golden Gate Bridge.

I rented a bike, complete with a helmet and a map, and set off down the coast.

I rode the few miles to the bridge, cruised across the bay, sailed mostly downhill towards the tiny, quaint town of Sausalito, then caught the ferry back to the mainland.

A few years later, I made the trip again to San Francisco with a few friends to relive the wonderful memory of that ride and build some new memories as well.

We rode the few miles to the bridge, cruised across the bay and made the right turn to sail with ease towards Sausalito.

It only took a few seconds for us to pick up speed as we biked downhill. But then I sensed I was going a tad too fast. So I tapped on my brakes.

Seconds later, I only remember the dawning realization that I was in the middle of the road and needed to crawl to the shoulder for safety.

While my friends rushed toward me, I sat dazed, trying to piece together what had happened and figure out what should happen next.

All I could think was I needed to get myself together so I could get back on that bike and head toward Sausalito. I had come to San Fran on a mission and I wanted to finish the journey.

But that finish would not come.

Not long after, a paramedic approached me from the ambulance someone had called and squatted down on his haunches to ask me if I knew my name and the day. You know ... the type of questions asked of an injured person who has just been thrown from their bike. I tried to convince him I was okay.

I told him I thought I could still finish. I told him that after I'd completed my goal of biking to Sausalito, then I would go to the hospital to figure out what was wrong with my body. Needless to say, he advised against my gallant ideas.

I needed help. I didn't want it, but I needed it.

Sometimes life is like that. We are cruising along and something goes wrong. We sit dazed, trying to piece together what has happened and what we should do next, not realizing we are hurt and in need of help.

We may not want it, but we need it. We may try to convince others we are okay, when it's clear we are not.

I reluctantly agreed to get into the ambulance and take the ride to the local emergency room where I later realized I had a broken finger, a fractured elbow and a sizable puncture in my chin.

That ambulance. The beautiful thing about that ambulance is it arrived quickly when I was in trouble.

In the same way, God is a very present help when you are in trouble. When you call Him, He will be there. Right where you are. Even if you are on the side of the road.

And just like I found refuge in the ambulance and at that hospital, you can find refuge in God.

You may be reluctant to admit you need help. Or you may be reluctant to pause and give God your situation so He can help you. Can I encourage you today to let God help?

He can soothe you with His Word, send reinforcements through His people and provide answers to your prayers.

Seek Him today. He loves to help those who are in trouble and He is an expert at fixing the source of pain and setting the hurting on a path to healing.

Dear God, I need Your help. I'm hurting and I need You to help me address my source of pain and set me on a path to healing. Please show me where I can get help in Your Word or through Your people. Help me be patient as I wait for You to answer my prayers. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

***

TRUTH FOR TODAY:

Isaiah 41:10, "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you ..." (ESV)

RELATED RESOURCES:

Kingdom Woman by Tony Evans and Chrystal Evans Hurst can help you find perspective to be the woman God has called you to be.

Chrystal has prepared a free printable Scripture to remind you that God is with you and will help you. Click here to download.

If you're looking to move forward and find healing for your deepest hurts, know that you don't have to run this race alone! Join our next Online Bible Study of The Mended Heart by Suzie Eller, launching June 22. Click here to get your book or learn more.

REFLECT AND RESPOND:

Why might you be reluctant to admit when you need help? What will you do in light of today's devotional to embrace the help God offers?

If you've ever experienced God coming to your aid in your time of trouble, share your experience in the comments to encourage another person in need of hope today.

© 2015 by Chrystal Evans Hurst. All rights reserved.