A prayer for rescue answered

Sarah Christian Workman

On the last day of junior high school, four of my friends and I made a pact that none of us would ever drink in high school. Throughout that summer I held our promise in my heart and used it to quiet my fears about peer pressure in high school. However, the first weekend of my freshman year the five of us went to a party. Quick as a flash my friends all "hit the bottle." I felt betrayed and alone; suddenly our pledge meant nothing. I was the only sober person at the party, and I felt I was really sticking out. I didn't know what to do or where to turn.

Throughout the next few days I continued feeling miserable and alone. I turned to that week's Bible Lesson from the Christian Science Quarterly in the hope of finding some comfort. The first Bible citation I turned to was in Psalms, which reads, "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee." I could hardly believe my eyes! The message of those ten words swept away every ounce of fear I'd felt for the last three months. I continued reading: "When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.... In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me" (56:3, 9, 11).

With every word of this Lesson I felt increasingly comforted and secure. I began to understand that I could never be alone, for God is always with me. He is ever present and, as His image and likeness, I couldn't be separated from Him. I realized I needn't fear my peers, alcohol, or high school, because God, good, is the only power. I am always in His loving care and I always will be.

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