Have you ever been given horrible news and you are immediately overwhelmed with grief, fear, or anxiety? It is helpful to know that King David went through the same thing and wrote about it in Psalm 61. He wrote these beautiful words:
Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to thee, when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I; for thou art my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. Psalm 61:1-3
A few weeks ago, I posted a website http://www.prayfordaisy.tumblr.com/ because I was especially touched by the message that Pastor Britt Merrick preached on the Sunday after learning his daughter can a large tumor. Pastor Britt asked, "where does your mind go when you need to process bad news?"
If you are a Christian, your mind goes to Jesus. You don't need to force yourself to remember scripture; it indwells in you. Knowing that there is a power stronger and loving gives immediate strength and comfort. Knowing God's character and love protects you from the enemy, who wants you to suffer greatly in whatever trial you are in. Satan has no mercy, sympathy or compassion. He wants you to immediately curse God. God gave us His Word so that we don't have to go there, we just know.
This is my comfort, your promises preserve my life. Psalm 119:50
This verse was one that saved my life. When I was faced with cancer, I was full of anxiety and fear. On the night of my diagnosis, the first thing that Jon and I did together (after putting the girls to bed) was to lay next to each other and pray. God's Word was so ingrained in our hearts, we knew that we had to go to God with our fear. We knew that there was nothing greater than God's power and love. We did not question God's love, we took comfort in it.
Another reason to know God's Word is that you have the truth planted in your heart so that you don't need to ask "Why." God's Word does not answer the "Why" question. God's Word says that we must not lean on our own understanding. His ways are not our ways. We can be sure of one thing, if we seek Him, we will find Him.
O God, thou art my God, I seek thee, my soul thirsts for thee; my flesh faints for thee. as in a dry and weary land where no water is. Because thy steadfast love is better then life, my lips will praise thee. I will bless thee as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on thy name.
Psalm 63:1-4
Is Jesus the first person you go to when life gets hard? I hope you know that the Word of God is a source of strength, and a love song to you, from a God that knitted you in your Mother's Womb. He does not promise the road will be easy, but He does promise He will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)
God Bless,
Sandy
