If you live here in the South, I am sure you have heard the phrase “like a deer in headlights.” The phrase describes someone who freezes up, unable to move or think in unexpected situations.

In my early twenties, one night after work, I was driving home when a deer suddenly crashed into my windshield. Its legs thrashed through the glass, leaving me shocked and panicked. I felt like a deer in headlights inside my car.

Without a cell phone in the early 80s, I had very few options. I began to panic. I was more worried about the injured deer than my car or myself. He was still alive but seriously injured and trapped in the windshield. I couldn’t bear watching him fighting, struggling so hard to save himself. What should I do?

I looked for the jack in the trunk of my car and debated within my mind and heart. You have two options: you can try to bust the windshield completely to free him, or you can hit him in the head hard enough to end his suffering. This was a decision I did not want to make.

Have you ever been in a difficult situation where the circumstances seemed unbearable? Little did I know that this incident was preparing me for harder decisions and trials I would face later in my life. I was still young and new in my relationship with God, but I knew how to pray. There on the side of the road, I, like David, cried out to God for mercy and help.

“In my distress, I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple, he heard my voice, my cry came before him, into his ears.” Psalm 18:16 NIV

 As I turned around, a sheriff’s patrol car rode by. He saw me, turned his vehicle around, and came to help. The Lord had heard my cry. This deputy took control of the situation. He said, “I am going to call for another deputy to come and handle the deer and arrange for your car to be towed, while I get you home.” I learned I could trust and depend on God.

You may have a family member or situation in life where you are truly struggling because you are watching someone destroy their life with addiction, an unhealthy lifestyle, or living in a dangerous environment. Are you looking for answers and have run out of options? Cry out to God. His timing may not be as fast as we want, but He always helps us when we pray in faith and surrender our will to Him.