Keep on asking and God will respond

It was in an unlikely place that I renewed my faith. I thoroughly enjoy murder mysteries. That sounds rather morbid, I know, but it's the intricacies involved in solving them that captures my interest. The one I watched on television a couple evenings ago certainly touched my spirit.

The story was a true one, as most are that I watch or read about. A woman was captured by an extremely vicious man. He tortured and raped her, and did other unmentionable things to her. The woman was petrified, as most would be.

She did everything he asked, hoping to keep his anger at bay. Finally he put her in the smoldering hot trunk of his car. She was so scared, she prayed he would kill her -- and end it all. However, that wasn't meant to be. She prayed to God as she had never before prayed. Finally, through attaining a supernatural strength, she couldn't explain, she broke the twine binding her. All the while she prayed, even though she saw no way out of her predicament. Then, with her hands free, in the darkness of the car-trunk, she found the trunk door-latch and, accidently, opened the trunk lid. The man angrily stopped the car to lower the trunk door. She dared not let him know she had opened it.

Although in dire straits, she kept trying to stay alive. Finally, she caught her moment, and intentionally opened the trunk lid. She jumped out, half naked, and ran up the highway toward an oncoming 18-wheeler.

The story ended with her escape, although the woman incurred psychological damage for years. Afterward, she eventually was able to function again. The point of this story is that the woman felt she experienced all kinds of encouragements from God. She saw warm bright lights, while in the trunk of the car, and she felt a sort of comfort. All this, she said, had to be from God.

Upon escaping from the car, she sped up the road, like a marathon runner, with her capturer close behind her. The truck driver was able to screech to a stop without hitting her.

Although the incident was horrible, she is now trying to help other women learn how to survive. The woman kept her head and tried to think. The man was a serial killer, but she was the only one to escape. The woman possessed a strong desire to live and she persevered at trying to find ways to appease the man, while she tried to save herself. It seems that God helped her to help herself. We all have a will and particular gifts. God comes to our aid, certainly, but we have to do our part, as well.

Our thoughts are living, so do watch what you think or believe. If you think you can, you can, but if you think you can't, that outcome materializes.

Scripture cites many instances that reinforce the encouragement and help the woman received. Isaiah 40:28-31 is one of my favorites. "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might, he increases strength. Even youth shall faint and be weary, and young men will fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Although the woman was frightened out of her wits, she never gave up. She was able to do things that she could normally never have accomplished, and because of her endurance, God, and keeping her calm, she was able to overcome. God never fails his people. Do you keep on asking, or give up?

Ellen Shuck holds degrees in psychology, religious education and spiritual direction. Her blog, "Chocolate for the Soul: Wisdom for Life" may be accessed at semissourian.com. She is the author of the book, "Wisdom for the Journey."