When Trouble Hits, Who Gets Your Call First

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TODAY'S TEACHING

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.
—Psalm 121:1-2

Let’s grow up in our faith, not just grow older in it. When trouble knocks, our first call shouldn’t be the group chat. Go to God first, like flipping on the breaker instead of just swapping lightbulbs.

I’m not saying wise counsel is wrong. It’s a gift. But leaning on people so hard that we ignore the One who actually sees the whole map (that’s a recipe for disaster).

Think of David. When pressure hit, he didn’t poll the crowd. As today's scripture reveals, he looked to God because he knew where his help came from.

Make it a habit. Call on God first, always. Anyone else, only after you've checked with Him.

Here’s a story. Mia kept asking her friends what to do about a job offer (texts, calls, coffee, repeat). The more opinions she collected, the more unclear she felt.

One night, exhausted, she finally prayed, looking to God for help. She kept it simple, honest, and no fluff. By morning, she had a quiet nudge from God's Spirit to wait, which made no sense. Two days later, the company called back with a better role and healthier hours. She laughed through tears. “I should’ve asked You first,” she said, and it stuck.

God’s not against using people to help you. He often does. He may send a mentor to confirm, an article to illuminate, or a pastor’s message that lands like an arrow.

He’s creative. Angels carried words. A donkey once spoke. If He wants to reach you, He’ll use anything... from Scripture in your morning devotion to a line on a billboard that hits you right between the eyes.

Your part? Ask Him first. Wait a beat. Lean in. He knows how to get through to you, and He will.

So before you text a friend, drop that quick, sincere prayer. “Lord, what’s Your take?” That one simple pivot (calling on God first) turns panic into peace and confusion into steps you can actually take.

If this resonates with you, here's a short prayer you can say today:

"Dear God, when life shakes and the walls rattle, remind me where the real help line is. Before I run to opinions or scroll for comfort, pull me close and whisper, “Talk to Me first.” You see what’s hidden behind every locked door, and You already hold the keys. So today, I’ll put quiet the noise, put my phone down, lift my eyes, and call on the One who never leaves me on hold. Amen."

God bless you!

Your brother in Christ,

Daniel
Daily Effective Prayer™

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DEVOTIONAL QUESTIONS

1. When trouble hits, what do Christians reach for first—our phone or prayer?

We can be honest here... our thumbs want the shortcut, but our spirits need the Source. If we pause, breathe, and say, “Lord, I’m here,” we handle the root cause, not a quick fix. We remember Who holds the map. Praying to God first doesn’t mean we ignore people. It means we anchor before we sail. Once we set our hearts on God, the storm stops bossing us around, and we stop spreading panic in the group chat.

2. How do we actually make “God first” a reflex instead of a nice idea?

We train it like a muscle. We pre-decide, “When fear knocks, we pray to God first.” We keep a simple prayer ready... ten honest words beat a thousand frantic ones. We can also stack small habits. A Scripture on the lock screen, a whispered prayer before we reply, a journal line at night asking, “Did I go to God first today?” I've always believed that little hinges swing big doors. Over time, our habit shifts from hurry to holy.

3. What do Believers do when Heaven feels quiet after we pray?

We don’t confuse silence with absence. Waiting rooms aren’t empty rooms. Delay is not denial. God is working behind the door we can’t see. We keep our feet on what we already know... His character, His promises, yesterday’s rescues. We worship, listen a lot, and keep our hands clean of panic decisions. Quiet seasons prune the noise so the next nudge from the Holy Spirit is clear. Our faith gets stronger there, even when we don’t feel like Heaven hears us (we trust God anyway).

4. How do we invite wise counsel without letting it replace God’s voice?

We go to God first, then we bring in people who echo Scripture, not our fears. We ask people we consider godly to confirm, not control. We weigh advice by its fruit... does it line up with Scripture, does it lead to peace, humility, and obedience, or to ego, hurry, and drama? We keep ownership of our choices under God, because borrowed convictions collapse in high wind. Counsel is a compass, not a captain. God is the One who remains at the helm of our lives, and He has the final say.

5. What simple practices help a Christian remember to call on God first in everyday life?

We keep it practical and doable. We set a “pray before reply” rule. We drop a three-word prayer (“Jesus, lead me)” in the car, in the hallway, in the checkout line. We set up reminders where we'll see them... a note on the fridge or the phone's lock screen, a line in our journal so that we don’t forget last time He came through. We celebrate tiny wins because "right" repetition builds "right" reflexes, and "right" reflexes set the "right" direction for our lives.

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