Scripture: “ The LORD talked to Hagar. She began to use a new name for God. She said to him, “You are ‘God Who Sees Me.’” She said this because she thought, “I see that even in this place God sees me and cares for me!” (Genesis 16:13 ERV).

Hagar was running away from her problems. Had she continued, she and her unborn child might have died in the desert. In anguish, she cried out to the Lord and was amazed to hear Him give specific instructions. She was to return home and be obedient—not at all what her angry emotions were telling her.

When her son was born, she named him “Ishmael,” meaning “the God who hears.” She must have always cherished the life-changing moment when God saw her distress and heard her cries.

This past weekend, I too became distressed when I could see no answer to seemingly unsurmountable problems. In a sense, I also “ran away” and avoided all my responsibilities. I wanted to crawl into a hole and pull the lid over me. My dark emotions were so overwhelming, I couldn’t think. I couldn’t talk. I couldn’t pray.

Yet God—the God who sees and cares–saw my distress and heard the words I could not speak. Toward evening, I felt Him urge me to “try again.” Reluctantly, I obeyed and found resolution and encouragement. Like a tangled ball of yarn, the problems can be unraveled if I face them with a slow, steady approach and keep listening for His guidance.

Prayer: Thank You, precious Father for seeing us when we run away from life and for hearing the prayers we sometimes cannot pray. Forgive our rebellious hearts and help us obey Your voice. Amen.