Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD. Psalm 130:1, NIV

As I dragged myself back into the hotel bathroom, it was only the sweating and nausea that kept me from passing out from the pounding pain in my stomach. I was in Florida and was supposed to be enjoying spring training baseball games. Instead, I hovered in agony and awaited the next assault on my digestive system.

I had no idea what had declared war on my body, I only knew I was losing. What felt like a minor flu the day before had metastasized into a raging monster, crippling me and driving me into a pain-induced daze. I felt as if my insides were being twisted and wrung out like a dishrag. My clearest thought in my fog of disease was that I could not handle this alone. I cried out to God and asked for deliverance.

God is present and ready to hear us when we cry out to Him. Whatever depths we are experiencing, including physical, emotional, and spiritual, He is ready to extend His mercy to us. As much as God is just, He is also gracious and hears our pleas for help.

But, since God is always ready to help me, why do I wait until I am in the depths before crying out to Him in desperation? Shouldn’t I be walking with Him moment-by-moment? I often wear an attitude of nonchalance instead of embracing a spirit of fervency when dealing with God.

My illness reminded me that God desires for us to reach out at the first sign of trouble, not as a last resort. I need to lean on His strength at all times and not only when I am too weak to carry on. Stop waiting for a crisis to call out to God. Turn to Him every day as if your very life depends upon it.

Terry Magee lives and serves God in Pennsylvania with his wife. They have two grown children and are expecting their first grandchild later this year. Terry is the author of In the Grip of Prayer, which uses a hand object lesson to build prayer consistency. It is  available through Intermedia Books. Read Terry’s devotions