As I look back, I realize that the naiveté of my childhood was peppered with distress calls.

The calls were not my own; they came from the adults in my life. Their concerns weren’t shared with us children, but we knew that as the atmosphere became more dense with concern, we would soon be gathered together for prayer, followed by a noticeable drop in the emotional pressure around us.

The gatherings were predictably coupled, for without fail we would soon be herded together for a second meeting: this time for thanksgiving and praise. Levity and freedom replaced the earlier oppressive bounds. Once sullen faces now radiated with relief and joy.

My young mind absorbed the contrasting scenes. I had no clue what the causes of the adults’ distresses were, but the repeated pairings cemented in my mind that the One they called upon in the grip of their anguish both heard and answered their prayers.

That is how I began a trust journey that has continued into adulthood. Cycles of distress, call for help, and praiseworthy freedom developed the realization that my “go-to” God had impeccable “how-to” in hearing and freeing me from problems of any kind.

You, too, can enjoy freedom in God!