February 6, 2025
A Direct Line to Your Heavenly Father
CRYSTAL PAINE
Lee en español
“For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers …” 1 Peter 3:12 (KJV).
Walking into the bathroom, I discovered our toddler at the sink with the water turned on full force and gushing all over. I went to turn off the water and noticed my phone sitting nearby, subjected to the deluge of water.
Uh-oh.
As a mom of six kids, I’ve learned firsthand how resilient smartphones are, but I was uncertain this time if the manufacturer’s promise of water-resistent tech would hold up.
And unfortunately, the next morning, I was met with the “black screen of death.”
I tried plugging my phone into a different outlet and using a different cord setup. I tried pushing all the buttons really hard. (It sounds irrational, and it was, but I was feeling a little desperate at this point!) Still nothing.
Finally, I resolved I had to get a new phone. That’s when I had a mini panic moment.
How was I going to drive without my phone’s GPS? What if someone needed to get a hold of me? What if I got a flat tire? (I’m the queen of imagining worst-case scenarios!)
Then the thought hit me: You might not have a working phone, but you always have a direct line to Jesus.
Why was I worrying about not being able to pick up a phone call or send a text when I have access to the Creator of the universe at any time, any place, anywhere?
So often we get busy with our lives, schedules, daily decisions and struggles, and we feel like we need to figure out everything on our own. We feel stressed and stretched trying to do it all in our strength, forgetting we have a heavenly Father who is eager to help us.
Scripture says “the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers” (1 Peter 3:12).
The Lord is waiting and ready to hear our cries. He wants to help us — if we will only ask.
The psalmist who wrote Psalm 34 reiterated this important truth: “When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles” (Psalm 34:17, ESV).
Today, when you feel like you don’t know what to do, cry out to Jesus.
When you don’t know how to respond to a difficult situation, cry out to Jesus.
When life feels daunting or discouragement creeps in, cry out to Jesus.
You never have to worry about your connection to Him getting cut off. Because you have a direct line to your heavenly Father, you don’t have to navigate life’s challenges and struggles alone.
Heavenly Father, help me remember I don’t have to trust in my strength and abilities. Let me look to You instead of attempting to white-knuckle my way through when life feels daunting and difficult. May I cry out to You today in my weakness and see You be strong on my behalf! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
If you’ve ever felt unsure about how to study Scripture and apply it to your daily life, you’re not alone. But with the help of our new FREE resource, opening up God’s Word doesn’t have to feel intimidating anymore. When you download “How To Study the Bible,” you’ll learn to investigate the context and details around the passages you read so you can stop feeling like the Bible is outdated and far removed from problems you're facing today. Sign up to receive your free copy!
Need some reminders of how much God loves you and wants to listen to you? In the first three chapters of Crystal Paine’s book Love-Centered Parenting, she shares her journey to understanding God's love and how that radically changed her life. She gives you practical steps for how you, too, can rest in God’s love for you, deepen your relationship with Him, and let His love overflow to everyone around you.
To connect with Crystal and see behind the scenes of her very real and not-perfect life of trusting Jesus as an adoptive family and walking by faith as a mom to six kids, including a child with special needs, follow her on Instagram.
1 John 5:14, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us” (NIV).
How would it change your life and perspective if you truly believed God hears you when you call out to Him? Share your thoughts in the comments.
© 2025 by Crystal Paine. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org
