For Crying Out Loud!

There is a lot to be said about crying out loud with all your might. How often do you hear someone yelling a swear word when they are hurt? They don't hold back; they just let it out along with the anger and frustration that accompanies the pain.

Well, do you know it's alright to yell at God, too? In fact, He is waiting for you to tell Him your troubles. You may have grown up with a traditional mindset that all prayer must be done on your knees, with your hands folded, your head bent, and your voice down to a mere whisper.

I love the story of blind Bartimaeus. When Jesus was coming into the city of Jericho, there was a large crowd following Him and it was hard to get within earshot of Him. Bartimaeus figured out that the only way he had a chance to receive his healing was to yell. The more people told him to shut up, the louder he yelled. He did not care what others were thinking. His health and welfare were at stake here! He knew this may be his only chance to get this close to the Man "who healed all that were oppressed of the devil". (1 Acts 10:38)

Well, his strategy worked! Jesus heard him, commanded him to come near to Him and asked what He could do for him. As he got up, he threw off the shawl which by law all blind people had to wear. When Bartimaeus told Jesus that he would like to receive his sight, he was simply told: "Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole." From that moment on he was blind no more! (Mark 10: 46-52)

Now all the people, including Jesus, knew by his garment that this man was blind. Bartimaeus may have just continued to sit there, hoping that Jesus would pass by, say a prayer, and heal him. He could have asked others to have mercy on him, taken him by the hand, and brought him to the Healer. Yet again, he might have thought to himself: "well, I was born this way; there must be a purpose for it. If the doctors cannot heal me, then maybe Jesus can't, either." He might also have told himself that all he needed to do was pray quietly.

There are times when in quiet, confident trust, you thank God in faith for your needs. If you ask anything in His Name, you shall receive it. (John 14:14) Even though He already knows what you're going through, but he wants you to know that: "all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." (Mat.21:22)

Just as it is to your advantage to yell out in order to be heard above the crowd, so it is good to cry out loud to God. Whenever you express a heartfelt cry to God, whether singing praises, or crying out in faith for your needs, you are making a declaration. You are giving notice to the devil that you refuse to listen to his defeatist whispers and that your hope is focused only on the Lord. Psalm 149: 5-9 declares that, if you know Him and praise Him out loud in faith, you can overcome those who persecute you and even change oppressive governments!

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and He shall direct thy paths." (Prov. 3:5-6)

About The Author-- Ann Stewart is the author of "With Wings As Eagles," It motivates, inspires and encourages others to stand victoriously in their trials. http://www.lifealteringwords.com/with-wings-as-eagles Her inspirational newsletter: http://www.lifealteringwords.com

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