Submitting tax forms every year is stressful for many of us. Running a small  business and interpreting tax codes has been a larger stress than I ever imagined. Well, truth be told, my  husband is the one who generally deals with this. I tend to stay out of his way as he huffs and puffs his way through the tax program. This year something was terribly wrong. It was telling us that I owed a couple of thousand more than I took in as income. Clearly, something was wrong at least I hoped. I am happy to pay the taxes I owe, and we strive to do our taxes honestly with integrity. How could it be that I would owe more than I made. After digging online for answers, my husband came back to me and said it was my problem, now. Great.

I didn’t know who to call, so I broke down and called the IRS. Yes, I called the Internal Revenue  Service. It was intimidating just looking up the number. As I  dialed, I was anticipating a minimum of an hour on hold and a grumpy service person on the other end. I couldn’t have been more wrong. I was only on hold for five minutes and the person who answered was extremely helpful. I was directed to three different IRS publications which was a little daunting, but they did answer my questions.

This got me to thinking. I had just spent almost a week stressed and overwhelmed around this problem. I do this in so many areas in my life. When I finally breakdown and do something about the problem or talk to the person involved, a resolution is rather simple. I do this with God, too. I fret and fret over a problem rather than taking it directly to Him in prayer. Why do I wait when this is His promise?

Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. ¹⁴ I will be found by you,” declares the Lord… (Jeremiah 29:12-14a NIV).

He promises to listen. He promises to there for us, and yet my tendency is to wait and worry. This scripture brings me so much comfort. It reminds me that my IRS is an Internal Restoration Service provided by the one who loves me and you more deeply than we can imagine. He is waiting for us to call. There is no need to be intimidated. We will find comfort and care. Our concerns will be handled, and our spirits lifted. Are you ready to call the IRS?

How has prayer impacted your life? Share your experience here and breathe life and bring hope to others.