Read: Psalm 142:1-7

David writes in Psalm 142:6, “Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need.” David recognized that he needed help and the Lord was the only one who could save him. After misfortune hits—whether it’s losing a job, suffering through a divorce or watching illness or death strike a loved one—it can be difficult to admit you're hurting and you don't have it all together. But God wants us to cry out to Him when we find ourselves in low places.

David writes in the next verse, “Set me free from my prison, that I may praise Your name.” How often do we let misfortunes turn into personal prisons? One decision, one accident, one bad relatonship does not have to determine who we are and how we live. God wants to free us from the jails built by our tragedies, mistakes, failures and sins. The cell door is open. It's our job to step through, and crying out to God is that first step.

If you feel trapped, in a situation where you cannot seem to find a resolution, don’t try anything else before asking God for help. He doesn’t respond with anger if you’ve been running from Him. Your cry brings Him abounding joy. God delights in helping those who call out to Him. Doing so will be your first step toward freedom.