The scream
Ever needed a cleansing scream? You know like the ones in the movies, where the hero or heroine in utter agony lets out a primal yell? Years ago, after my husband’s employer had shut down the facility where he worked, my sweet hubby had been searching for a new job for almost a full year. I was tired, so tired of the waiting, and decided I really needed a deep, cathartic soul-cleansing.
Standing in the back yard, I called up all those nasty, desperate emotions from my very soul, took a deep breath, pulled in oxygen from several surrounding counties, then opened my mouth and let that scream rip. Unfortunately, my release sounded more like a bleating sheep—which caused my throat to freeze tight, the dogs in the neighborhood to start barking, squirrels to fall out of tree limbs, and an elderly neighbor to call animal control.
Bummer. No relief and only a sore throat to show for my pitiful efforts. I tucked my proverbial tail and went back inside, up the stairs, into my office, plopped in my chair, and stared at my computer screen. Finally, I did what I should have done in the first place – open my Bible. Sure enough, God is ready to listen, regardless of my guttural scream ability.
As I read the Bible, verses provided the needed comfort. I’m so grateful God listens. Whether we think, whisper, scream, or bleat like sheep, God hears our cries.
The verses below cite references to our loving, attentive God. Whatever your need, and whatever method needed to talk to God, please take a moment to pray.
“In my distress I called upon the Lord; I cried to my God, and He heard my voice from His temple; my cry came into His ears.” ~ 2 Samuel 22:7 (AMP)
“Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD will hear when I call to him.” ~ Psalm 4:3 (NIV)
“The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer.” ~ Psalm 6:9 (NIV)
“I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.” ~ Psalm 18:3 (NIV)
“But I call to God, and the LORD saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.” ~ Psalm 55:16-17 (NIV)
“You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you.” ~ Psalm 86:5 (NIV)
“In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me.” ~ Psalm 86:7 (NIV)
“He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.” ~ Psalm 145:19 (NIV)
“Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. …” ~ Isaiah 58:9 (NIV)
“Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.” ~ Isaiah 65:24 (NIV)
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” ~ 1 John 5:14-15 (NIV)