One of the things depressed and suffering people often do is to seek a place to hide from everyone.

People in pain will seek a place of solitude to suffer alone.

They may put a sign on their hospital room's door that reads, "No Visitors". Or they won't answer the phone when it rings.

Hagar, the person in our verse today, was hiding from the woman who afflicted her. She sought a lonely place to be by herself, as she suffered rejection and cruelty from Sarah her mistress.

Hagar found comfort in her solitude when the Lord came to her and spoke to her about her problem. She was a child of God and no child of God can hide from Him.

He sees everyone and comes to His children to talk with them—and offer encouragement—as He did with Hagar.

But Hagar's situation took place thousands of years ago. How can we hear the voice of God when we're in hiding from everyone?

There are several ways that come to mind.

First and most important is the Bible, God's message for everyone. This is why I always have a verse of Scripture for every devotional I write.

As we study the Word of God, we can find promises given to all who seek the Lord. We read of others who suffered as we do, and learn how God helped them.

Perhaps we hear a bird outside our window singing its heart out to its Maker.

The words of Jesus spring to mind: "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" Matthew 6:26 (NIV)

We conclude from this fact that we're precious in God's sight, and He'll care for us somehow—just as He meets the needs of that bird.

Then again, someone may have sent flowers to cheer us and Jesus' words come to mind: “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?" Matthew 6:28-30 (NIV)

There's no hiding from our Creator (Psalm 139), so seek help from the ever present One and He shall certainly meet with you and bless you.

He'll give you a glad heart in exchange for your tears.

Come to Him and come right now.