When there is nothing you can do

TDW Stack | Newsletter | Jun 21 2025

When There is Nothing You Can Do

Hello!

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Psalm 22:1

“My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Far from my deliverance are the words of my groaning.”

The world is in a bit of a mess right now.

War is going on or brewing. Ukraine v Russia, India v Pakistan, Congo v Rwanda, South Africa v their farmers, Israel v Palestine, Israel v Iran - who am I missing?

Unrest is being stirred in some places - Britain, Ireland, Scotland, France, Spain, Belgium, OK, let’s just say Europe, Los Angeles, Portland, Oregan, Chicago (this is rather ongoing), New York, Pittsburgh, and others I’m sure I’m forgetting.

If it isn’t happening where you live, having access to a TV or a smartphone makes you aware of much of it. (That’s a good argument for getting rid of TVs and phones really.)

If it is happening where you live, you are trying to find a way to get through the day, Lord willing.

What are you going to do about all of these things?

Whether the crisis is personal or political it still causes concern and anxiety. Hiding under the covers or running out to battle to make it all stop are both perfectly normal responses to the chaos. Even when we feel there is SOMETHING we should be doing, we still feel like David did in Psalm 22.

We feel alone.

We feel lost.

We feel abandoned.

We feel helpless.

Sometimes, the only thing for us to do is to let God take care of it. Put it into His hands and WAIT.

Waiting isn’t passive. It is active.
Waiting is actively choosing to NOT do something while watching to see what happens around you.

David goes on in Psalm 22 to remind himself, and his audience, that he hasn’t really been left alone. God is right there for David to call on. David has confidence God is there to save the day.

“Bu You, O Lord, be not far off; O You my help, hasten to my assistance. Deliver my soul from the sword, My only life from the power of the dog. Save me from the lion’s mouth; from the horns of the wild oxen You answer.” Psalm 22:19-21

When David doesn’t know how to make his enemies stop, he talks to God about it.

Prayer is also not passive.
Prayer is intentionally taking your troubles to the One who has the authority (might and right) to handle whatever is coming at you.

Jesus shows us this in the garden and on the cross. In the garden, His human fears overwhelm Him (Mt. 26:37-38). After much prayer, He leaves the garden no longer burdened by those fears. On the cross He cries out the same words of David about being forsaken (Mt. 27:46), and then a short while later He expresses confidence His Father is waiting to receive His spirit (Luke 23:46).

The answer at every stage was God. The action to take when there is nothing else you can do to change what is going on is to pray.

I believe strongly that prayer is something that is not valued and utilized enough. I certainly know it is true within myself. I get busy trying to figure out what the next plan of attack is to move the needle forward on the dozens of “critical” things going on in my life. I forget to take ALL of it to God. Not just my need for strength, not just my need for wisdom - but also my need to give it up to Him.

What do you do during these chaotic times?

How do you use prayer to help?

I hope you will use our Prayer Threads in The Diligent Woman chat to share your prayers with us.

Next week, June 23-27th, the 5-Day Prayer Challenge will be running too. I needed a refreshing; a change of focus. If you could use one, I hope you will join me. It is a chance to remind ourselves how simple prayer is meant to be. It is also a reminder of the power of laying our burdens at the feet of the Almighty Creator. Not our power, His power. The challenge is free. You can join it by subscribing using the button below or choosing the 5-Day Prayer Challenge in your settings for The Diligent Woman Subscription in your Substack Profile.

I’m worn out worrying about how the world is going to figure out all of its troubles. When you think about it, that is silly to worry about since none of this is new - this is how the world has been rolling since Cain killed Abel; BUT since it is right in our faces in the present time, let’s run closer to God and let Him handle all the pieces on the chess board of life. Will you join me?

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