I didn’t even notice the sounds of explosion and gunfire because it had been raining and thundering all day. But when my husband walked in the door and said, “There’s been an explosion nearby!” I jumped.
“Are you sure it wasn’t thunder?” I asked.
“No, it wasn’t. Don’t you hear the sirens?”
I realized I’d heard it after all. I could pinpoint the moment I heard abnormally loud, close thunder. A half hour had gone by, but we could still hear ambulance sirens from the streets around our house.
“Where’s Andres?” Jose said. “Call him, and tell him not to come this way.”
My son was having coffee with a friend, and he didn’t respond to my call. For the next few minutes, all I could do was hope the explosion hadn’t happened anywhere near him. Jose turned on his computer, and we learned that it was in the other direction from where Andres went to meet his friend. My relief faded when we read it was a terrorist attack that killed three people and wounded seven.
I was shocked to realize it happened one mile from my home.
The rest of the afternoon I was on edge. I talked to my daughter at home to make sure she felt okay. I called several friends to check on them. I tried to reassure a younger woman in tears on the phone. I didn’t have any good answers to her silent question: “If God is real, why does He let this happen?”
All I knew was to say was this: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1) And I kept saying it over and over to myself all afternoon.
All I could pray was one word: “Jesus.”
And He came. I couldn’t see Him, but my heart knew He was there. All it took was one word from me, and Jesus knew what I needed better than I did myself. He calmed, comforted, and strengthened me.
Have you been in situations where your heart is so overwhelmed that words fail?
Friend, your world might look different than mine, but you know as well as I do that life can explode in your face. Your child has an accident or your husband sends a text you never imagined. Your boss asks to speak with you or your doctor calls with bad news. Sometimes even the stress of daily life leaves us feeling choked and powerless.
When words fail, one word is all we need: Jesus.
His name is above all names and it holds more power than any name on earth or in heaven.
So if you’re feeling overwhelmed today, call out one word: Jesus.
Jesus, come be with me.
Jesus, calm my fears.
Jesus, quiet my heart.
Jesus, meet the needs that only you know about.
Empower me now.
If stress has beat you down during a busy season or a life challenge has knocked you down, pray the name Jesus. Even if we’re just having a bad day, we can call on His name. He knows better than we do what we need right now. He’ll come and meet us wherever we are.
Did you enjoy this post? You can subscribe to get fresh servings of Faith Spilling Over delivered weekly to your inbox. Enter your e-mail address in the box at the top of this page.
This post is part of a January series called “More of Jesus.” Here are previous posts you may have missed:
One Wonderful Word When You Need More of Jesus
What to Do When You Need a Best Friend
I’m linking up with Holly Barrett’s #TestimonyTuesday, Kelly Balarie’s #RaRaLinkup, Arabah Joy’s Grace and Truth, Deb Wolf’s Faith ‘n Friends, and Suzie Eller’s #LiveFree Thursday. Check out these communities for more encouragement.
Oh, Betsy, I could imagine your fear and stress on that day. And Yes, there are times when only one word will suffice: Jesus. The Holy Spirit intervenes and takes the name of Jesus and delivers our prayer. Thanks for this reminder and for sharing your life here. Blessings to you.
Yes, Karen, it was an interesting day, but GOD! He surrounded me, and the next day was much better. We still have so many reasons to rejoice.
Oh, Betsy! I cannot imagine how terrifying that must have been. Thanks for this honest and heart felt glimpse into the challenges you face. Such wise advice to simply cry out to Jesus! XO
Thanks, Liz. I can imagine maybe you’ve been in a similar place before? Thankfully, this isn’t the norm! Usually my challenges are much different!
Powerful truth to remember! So thankful for God’s hand of protection over your family, Betsy. I understand what you mean. Sometimes we don’t know the ‘why’. But God’s Word has the reassurance we need. We can run to Him. He is our refuge.
Yes, it does, Kristine! We can run to Him, and when we can’t, He runs to us!
Beautiful post and graphics, Betsy! I’m sharing on FB and Pinterest.
Thank you so much, Sarah. I appreciate you.
Who would have imagined that your One Word would become the prayer of your heart so early in the year? So thankful that God has put you in that particular place for “such a time as this.” You continue to be in my prayers.
Thank you for your prayers, Michele. Thankfully, this experience is of course not the norm! Yes, we are here for such a time as this! You too!
Your beautiful words spoke loudly to me today. I cannot imagine the emotions that ran through you on that day. Every emotion you could feel, I imagine. Your gentle reminder that all we need is Jesus fed the deepest part of me. Why I forget this sometimes and try to rely on my own strength, I don’t know. It usually doesn’t work out so well.
Life does change rapidly and the one constant is Jesus. Thank you for showing the way back to Him again today.
Oh I know the feeling of trying to do things on our own strength! Believe me. I do. So glad if this encouraged you, Mary. Praying for you now, friend. You’re right. Our one constant is Jesus.
How thankful I am you and your family were safe. I feel heavy for those lost. Betsy, there aren’t any explosions here today, just the rush of day-to-day. Thank you for posting these words today. They’re speaking loudly. Oh Jesus…..
Glad you don’t have any explosions there, Kristi. But we do need Jesus in the rush of day-to-day. I don’t have any explosion here either today, thank God, but I do need Jesus all the same. Praying for you, dear friend.
Early in the seventies, I had just been married and my husband and I were traveling through North Dakota to get home to his ranch. I was driving my camper with all my possessions crammed in when I hit black ice. As we were spinning out of control all I could say was “Jesus” over and over again. We ended upside down in the median. I never has a scratch and no possessions were harmed. God is so good.
What a story, Nancy! Thank you for sharing it with me today. Beautiful to see God’s faithfulness in caring for you.
Betsy,
It’s kind of amazing that the worse and more complex my problems get, the simpler my faith becomes. When I am really hurting, my prayers are not long eloquent prayers, they are more like yours, “Jesus, Help!” Sometimes I can only just say the name of Jesus over and over again. That’s okay, because He truly is the One answer to all our prayers. So thankful you are all okay!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Yes, isn’t that true Bev? About simple faith. When I’m going through struggle, I have to go back to the simple. : )
That must have been a terrifying experience, but I love your testimony of finding peace by calling on the name of Jesus. It’s so comforting to know that whatever we face he is there and he hears our cry.
Actually I wasn’t terrified at all, Lesley, but I was unsettled, to say the least! Yes, He always hears our cry. Blessings to you today, sister.
When I read the title, the first word that came to my heart was Jesus.
There is no other name, there is no other prayer, there is no need to find endless words to string together.
He knows.
Be safe, be well, friend …
Amen, Linda! There IS no other name, is there? You be well and safe too. : )
Betsy,
I’ve been thinking then praying for you after I heard about the attack. I’m so glad that Jesus comforted you as you called on Him. Praying God continues to strengthen you and your family.
Thank you so much, Dolly. He does and He will strengthen us. May He strengthen and surround you as well, friend.
Dear Betsey,
You are especially in my prayers. I saw the news and thought wow that’s near The Cruz’s. May God continue to protect you in the palm of his hand.
Traci
Thanks, Traci, for your prayers. We are, indeed, in the palm of His hand. Just as you are.
Betsy, I’m so glad your son was OK. Your post reminds me of this song that has been on my mind a lot lately: “What A Beautiful Name” by Hillsong Worship. It ties in nicely with your word for the year … 🙂
Yes, it does! Thanks so much for the suggestion, Lois. Blessings to you.
Sometimes that is all we can pray. Thanks for sharing this, Betsy — I’m so glad everything was OK for your son … even though we recognize, in knowing others died in the explosion, that there are no guarantees we’ll be protected in a bubble. But we can count on His presence.
Yes, I’ve thought about that a lot, Jeannie, that there are no guarantees. It is challenging, isn’t it?
I cannot imagine the emotions from being so close! So glad y’all are safe, but it still must put you on edge. I’m sharing this today and pinned it as well!
Thank you, Lisa. I was on edge, but felt more at peace the following day.
Oh, Betsy, so glad y’all were all okay. How scary to have that happen so close to home. Every time I hear about things like this in Turkey, I pray for y’all. (And, doesn’t it seem like things like this are happening in Turkey a lot?) ((Hug)) — And, I love this post. What a gift the name of Jesus is. Of course, He himself is a gift, but even His name is a gift of power and comfort. — I hope I haven’t missed any others of your January Jesus theme. I’ve been a little busier lately with the new linkup. I’m not used to writing a post every week! I love it, but the pace is a little busier. You’re posting twice a week? — I’ve always admired folks who could post once or more a week. But, even though it’s busier, I kinda love it. 🙂 — Look forward to reading the rest of the series. 🙂 Y’all stay safe. (( xoxo ))
Hey Brenda! Good for you on posting once a week! I used to do twice a week, but no longer. : ) One is all I can manage these days. And I feel just fine about that. Thanks for the prayers. Blessings on your linkup. : )
Dearest Betsy, it’s such a blessing to be able to connect with you in this space! I am so glad that you guys are safe, and I want you to know I am praying for you and your family every day. Thank you for this beautiful post. I have found in my prayer life that when I can’t find the words to pray, I just say “Jesus” over and over again. It’s one of the best ways to pray, because there is POWER in His name!
Amen! Thank you Lauren. I so appreciate your prayer. You are amazing. And yes, there is POWER in His name.
This is so breathe taking!
I couldn’t wait to read till the end.
I’m glad you are all well.
Yes yes!!!
Jesus is the most powerful prayer we can pray.
Thank God for your testimony
Blessings to you
Thank you, Ifeoma. Blessings to you too, friend!
Thanks for this encouragement Betsy! So many times I have just called out the name of Jesus- or Emmanuel- God with me! I don’t know how people get through every day without the name of Jesus on their lips continuously! #LiveFree
Yes, I need to do that more, just call out His name when words fail, as they often do.
Betsy, I love this post and your testimony of God’s faithfulness in the middle of crisis. Every time I hear something about your country I utter a prayer for you. Prayer….it is our lifeline in crisis or in good times. Stopping in from Grace & Truth.
Thanks so much for thinking of me and praying. God hears even a quick prayer lifted up, doesn’t He? I appreciate you.
“Jesus,” the most powerful prayer I know! Thank you for this beautiful reminder, Betsy, and for sharing your life with us – the norm and the not-so-norm. So glad you and your family are okay. Feel this hug from across the miles.
“When words fail, one word is all we need: Jesus.” <== AMEN!
Thanks for reading, Heather. One word is all we need indeed.
Thanks for reading, Heather. One word is all we need indeed.
Great article, Betsy! I have often found myself at a loss for words at times I felt compelled to pray. You hit the nail right on the head here..just calling on Jesus is enough. He comes to the rescue even when we can’t find the words to tell Him what’s wrong
Yes, Laurie, when we’re at a loss for words, His name is all we really need to say, isn’t it?