How do you deal with the depression, fear and pain when seemingly hopeless tragedy strikes you, especially when there is no one to help you? There is only one answer, go to God and let go. That means giving up worrying about it, because God is handling it.

Three years ago, my son, Anthony, called me from California to say that he was in jail, being held on $50,000 bond and charged with rape. He had gone to help housesit with a friend for six weeks. After two days he called pleading for help. He was confused as to how this was happening to him, saying he was innocent. I was devastated!

I had never hired a lawyer before but knew that they are expensive and we could not afford it on my husband’s retirement. My husband was already dealing with bad health and depression. I was in shock!

I did the only thing I knew, I turned to our Heavenly Father and started to pray. He is so good! He always leads me where I need to be. I was able to bond my son out of jail for $5,000, and the other boy’s father arranged for me to hire a lawyer for much less than any other lawyer had quoted me. The lawyer was willing to work with us for what we could afford. The bank rushed through a home equity loan for us.

My husband was devastated by what was happening. But, he told me that his cousin had just called to invite him to a Spirit-filled retreat, all expenses paid (isn’t God awesome?). He needed this desperately and God had provided this for both of us; I needed him whole again!

My husband returned from the retreat with a newfound faith in God. Slowly, he regained his life back from depression by spending time praising and worshiping God in a new way. He had given his life to Christ and was being faithful praying and reading his bible, and God was blessing him in so many ways! Our daughter also became more involved in the youth group at church.

When my son was bonded out of jail, he related what caused his arrest. We believed him, and felt he was being wrongly accused, along with the other boy. He could not leave California until his arraignment in 30 days. We felt everything would be all right, but Satan had other plans!

The D.A. was a young feminist out to make a name for herself. At the arraignment, she convinced the judge to raise the bond to $2,000,000 each, because they were ‘violent criminals' and a ‘danger to society.' He sided with her, despite our lawyer's pleas, and the boys were thrown back into jail, with no possibility of being bonded out! My world started to crumble. I cried out to God all the more. The pain was unbearable!

The D.A. continued to add charges each time the boys went to court causing our lawyers to continue to postpone the preliminary hearing. This was our only hope for lowering the bond so as to get the boys released. They were moved to a large cell with over eighty others where they were bullied and beaten. I was beside myself with fear for my son's life! There wasn't anything I could do, but pray and trust God. I had to let go and give it to God!

Despite the circumstances, I praised God and continued imploring Him for my son's protection. Each morning, I searched the Scriptures for comfort and consciously began to push all thoughts of my son's circumstances out of my mind. Whenever I caught myself thinking about what might happen, I would turn my thoughts to praising and worshipping God or reading Scriptures. The Psalms especially brought me peace. I focused on just getting through right now. The more I practiced, the easier it became. I started to understand what it really meant to “trust” God.

After four months, Anthony was finally bonded out of jail. We are still waiting for a trial later this year, but we have learned to give our son to God. We are deeply in debt but are taking it one day at a time trusting our faithful God for all our needs. He has never let us down. I still catch myself worrying about tomorrow, but I quickly remind myself that it is all in God's hands, and He is more than enough. (Matthew 6: 25 – 34)

May you find the peace and joy you yearn for through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! God bless you.

(Zechariah Ministries was able to assist the D'Amicos with some of their expenses.)