Finding answers through trusting God

Over many years, my husband and I developed a deep trust in God’s ability to meet our every need. Steady reliance on Him as the source of wisdom and resourcefulness enabled us to develop an ethical and profitable business, and we enjoyed robust health as well.

At one time, when our plant was undergoing substantial reconstruction, we needed a business loan in order to complete the work. For various reasons, none of our local banks were able to provide the funds and the situation became critical. Despite our prayers, it seemed we were stuck.

One day at that time, as my husband was inspecting the plant, something gave way in his back. He suddenly dropped to the floor, unable to stand or walk. He was able to get some help to come home. We began to pray in earnest. We cherished the fact that God is “a very present help in trouble,” as the Bible teaches (Ps. 46:1). From many previous experiences, we knew we could rely on God’s loving care to correct and adjust whatever was needed in our lives. We knew that prayer could support our business and help it move forward as well as restore my husband’s strength and mobility.

As our children and I stood beside his bed, we prayed together for a few moments. This seemed to be a turning point, as my husband felt somewhat better. We prayed to be receptive to the messages from God that would guide us safely through both of these challenges. As a result, my husband was led to contact a banker in a distant city about a loan. The banker’s immediate response was positive. “Just come in and fill out the papers,” he said.

My husband’s back was still painful, but this idea from “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” by Mary Baker Eddy encouraged him to go forward: “Step by step will those who trust Him find that ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble’ ” (p. 444). We didn’t have to know at that moment how he’d be able to make the long trip. We just needed to trust God’s care and go forward, one step at a time.

As I drove, with each passing mile we continued to affirm the truth of God’s perfect creation. With my help, my husband was able to enter the bank and complete the paperwork for a loan, which was immediately forthcoming. On the way home, he even felt comfortable enough to make a second stop. Still using a cane, he went into a store and ordered some business items for later pickup.

From that point on, he rapidly regained strength as we continued praying. The pain vanished, and within a day or two, he returned to work with his usual vigor. The following week, he went to pick up the items he’d ordered previously, walking briskly this time, and without the cane. The clerk was astonished by his vigor. “Why, Mr. Wilson,” he said, “the last time I saw you, you were a lame man!”

For a time after this wonderful healing, my husband was tempted to favor his back and not do any heavy lifting. But this tendency was completely overcome one day when a friend who was in the pottery business needed help unloading a truck full of damp clay. My husband pitched in cheerfully and worked for several hours, carrying the 50-pound bags into his friend’s studio. There were no ill effects, not even fatigue, and my husband continued to use his back normally without any further trouble.

God truly is a very present help in trouble. Full of compassion and tender mercies, He is always here to help and heal each one of us, because we are all His dearly beloved children.

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