Anxiety, it’s a powerful emotion, one that can overwhelm your heart, mind, soul and everything in your being. It just plain stinks, and it sometimes feels like you’re trapped inside your own feelings and circumstances, without any escape. It can literally feel like you’re in a hole with a mound of dirt being shoveled on top of you one scoop at a time. Deeper and deeper you go under the weight, as things get darker and darker, eventually threatening to cut off the very air you breath.
I can relate. I’m not a person who worries by nature. In fact, I’m the opposite, usually. But there are circumstances in life that can knock the air out you, bring you to your knees, consume your every waking thought, disengaging you from joy, peace, and the blessings that come from fellowship with the Lord. This has been one of those seasons for me as I battle anxious thoughts and feelings. But glory to God for His comfort!
In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul. Psalm 94:19
Today, I saw this beautiful verse of comfort in a new way. Here is the writer of this Psalm, admitting their anxiety. Oh how important it is to admit anxiety (and to admit it in prayer is essential). We cannot accept the gracious help of our Lord until we admit we need it.
Within me…
Yes, there it is, within ME. I see it, and you see it too, Lord. I’m not fine, and when everyone around me says, “you’ve got this!” I simply don’t, Lord. Help me!
Second, I see this Psalm as a declaration of praise and gratitude. This too is essential, absolutely necessary if you want victory in this battle. I’ve heard studies showing that the part of the brain that fears cannot operate at the same time as the part that experiences gratitude. When we choose to worship and praise with thanksgiving in our hearts, the enemy flees with all the confusion, inward focus and the defeat he works hard to keep us under (read 2 Chronicles 20:22 and 1 John 4:18). The part of the brain that processes fear cannot operate at the same time as the part that process gratitude.
…Your comforts delight my soul…
God, I praise you for your comfort and I thank you for the delight you bring to my soul through your grace and love toward me. I have so many things to be thankful for, which I acknowledge before you.
Lastly, I see this as a verse of acknowledgment of the truth that is found in the word of God. Our feelings MUST be suppressed and the word of God MUST be elevated. Our eyes must be taken off the circumstances that weigh us down as we come to Jesus, letting the truths found in His word wash over us, taking every thought into captivity. We must submerse ourselves in the word of God in order to remove the consuming thoughts and worry that have taken residence. When you do, you are replacing lies with truth and you are set free (John 8:32). Turn your eyes to Jesus!
Your comforts…
Yes, God, they are Your comforts and I cannot find them anywhere else. They are found in Your word alone, for which I am rejoicing! They are my heart’s soothing, calming, peaceful delight (Jeremiah 15:16).
In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul. I will choose to make this my anthem, with a sincere heart in the beauty of the hope that is the very anchor to my soul (Hebrews 6:9). When I cast all my cares on Him, God truly meets me there and cares for me (1 Peter 5:7):
I don’t have this Lord, but You do. I trust You. Lead my heart.
~ ~ ~
“Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!
Praise God the Father who’s the source;
Praise God the Son who is the course;
Praise God the Spirit who’s the flow;
Praise God, our portion here below!”
