. “When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your comfort delights my soul.”

Psalm 94:19( NASB 2020)

Bad news or hard-to-hear news is never easy to receive. Yet, it is part of life. We have no end of stories that would apply.

If there is one thing I can successfully allow to multiply in my mind it is anxious thoughts. One anxious thought leads to another. Worst case scenarios are not far away. Perhaps you can relate. Where this is the case, there are no end of large hurdles one must somehow get over. And if this happens at night, it’s even worse.

It can truly feel like my foot is slipping from the “rock” on which I have stood for so long. As I think about various difficult situations, people or disappointments, that is when my foot begins to slip for I fear what is next.

This verse however leads me to a different place - “Your comfort delights my soul.” How does this happen?

I will tell you this, at least for me, it is not automatic. I practice the following. First, ‘Be still and know that I am God.’ I try to stop the circuitous and dead-end thinking. It has to stop and only I can stop it. Second, I bring God to mind. I consider His greatness. Sometimes, simply reflecting on the greatness of God puts my heart at ease. He is high and lifted up; so much greater than me. It leads me to worship Him, even in the quiet of the night. Third, I call to mind His nearness. He is both infinitely great and very near. He says, ‘Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be anxious; I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.’ (Isaiah 41:10) He is near to those who call out to Him, near to the broken hearted, near to the humble.

In all of this, we say thank you to the Father. God sees the challenges you face. He knows the hurdles you must cross and promises to meet you there. Take comfort today that God loves you and, though His greatness is unsearchable, He is near to you.

Dear Father,

Thank you for the beauty of Your word and the comfort of Your presence. Thank you for Your faithfulness and that I can trust you with what I don’t understand and what scares me. You are good and fully trustworthy. I give You the situations that are troubling me today. I lay each one down at Your feet and thank You for hearing me as I pray.

In Jesus Name,

Amen