At Our Wits’ End

   “They were at their wits’ end.  Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress.”  Psalm 107:27-28 NIV

   I did a search on what it means for someone to be “at their wits’ end,” and I found the perfect description – “to be overwhelmed with difficulties and at a loss as to what to do next.”  God’s people in the above passage felt like that.  Perhaps you have felt like that at one time or another, too.  I know that I have.

   Sometimes, we are faced with difficulty and indecision because, instead of following the leadership of the Holy Spirit, we are attempting to live by our own “wits” – our own intelligence, insight, and cleverness.  Those are the times when the Lord waits for us to cry out to Him, so He can bring us out of our distress, as the Scripture above says.

   Many years ago, when I was a young mother, I began having serious health problems.  I saw countless doctors and specialists, and took dozens of prescription drugs, but my problems only got worse instead of better.  To say that I was at my wits’ end would be an understatement.  I was not walking closely with God at the time, but I “cried out to the Lord in my trouble,” and pleaded with Him for healing.  My best friend was a registered nurse at a prestigious medical center, and she convinced me to see a specialist there who she was certain could help me.  This woman examined me and knew immediately what my problem was.  She took me off all of the drugs I was on, and she gave me new prescriptions, and she told me that it would take more than a year for my body to heal.  As it turned out, she was right.  God used this woman and her wisdom to bring me “out of my distress.”  And when I found out some years later that this doctor had become world famous, and that an entire hospital had been named for her, I realized what great lengths the Lord had gone to on my behalf.

   The Amplified translation of “at their wits’ end” says, “all their wisdom has come to nothing.”  Perhaps you are in a situation today that has you feeling as though all of your own wisdom has come to nothing.  The Lord already has a custom-made solution for you, and He will reveal it to you as you “cry out” to Him and seek to do His will!

   Lord, teach me to live by Your wisdom, instead of my own wits.  Remind me often that You have promised to give Your followers wisdom when we call upon You. (James 1:5; Jeremiah 33:3)  Teach me to pray promise-centered prayers, instead of problem-centered ones.  Thank You that as I turn to You in times of trouble, You will bring me out of my distress!

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