(A personal psalm)
When thoughts are allowed free rein…
…I worry about the future, forgetting who’s in charge–You!–The all-powerful, all-wise God of the universe, Master Controller of all things (1 Chronicles 29:11-12). The truth is, if I’m worrying, I’m not trusting.
…I become overwhelmed by the tasks ahead, overlooking your reliability in all situations (Philippians 4:13). Key word: in. You provide strength in the midst of the journey, not before it has begun.
…I question the reason for difficult circumstances, failing to remember all the benefits you bring out of trials, including maturity, strong faith, and deficiency in nothing (James 1:2-4).
…I feel inadequate to handle new responsibilities, forgetting you will not leave me to muddle through on my own. I can confidently depend on your help and put my hope in your promises (Psalm 46:1; Numbers 23:19).
…I allow disbelief to fester in my mind, neglecting to “dismantle doubts with declarations” (1)—declarations of stabilizing truth from your Word (Psalm 119:93, 160).
…I become discouraged in prayer, not considering that You grant what we would have asked for, if we knew everything you know (2) (Isaiah 55:9).
…I feel like a failure, losing sight of how you can turn weakness into strength and redeem any situation (1 Corinthians 1:26-31). How miraculous that even “worthless dross [you] transform into pure gold”(3).
…I make poor choices, ignoring the wisdom of your ways and what it cost you to pay for my sin (Psalm 119:137-138; Galatians 2:20).
…I experience despair, giving no thought to your over-all objective: to accomplish what is good and right–always. That good purpose may not be fulfilled today or to my preference, but it is certain nonetheless (Psalm 42:5 and 145:17; Jeremiah 29:11).
…I am discontented, forgetting to clarify my perspective with praise–for who you are and what you’ve already done (Psalm 31:19; Psalm 145).
…I become jealous of others, neglecting to celebrate your uniquely designed plans and specially chosen blessings for me (Ephesians 2:10).
…I feel weak, overlooking “the inner dynamic of grateful joy that empowers the greatest efforts” (4) (Colossians 3:15-17; Nehemiah 8:10).
For every troublesome emotion, every problem, every insufficiency that plays in my mind: you, O God, are El Shaddai–the All-Sufficient One.
You are the answer for everything I face.
I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonders.
I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
–Psalm 9:1-2 NIV
Notes:
(1) Jody Collins, author of Living the Season Well and blogger at https://jodyleecollins.com/blog/
(2) Timothy Keller with Kathy Keller, The Songs of Jesus, Viking Press, 2015, p. 52.
(3) Charles Spurgeon, Morning by Morning, December 8.
(4) Timothy Keller with Kathy Keller, The Songs of Jesus, Viking Press, 2015, p. 31.
Art & photo credits: http://www.flickr.com, by Giogio Montersino; http://www.pixabay.com; http://www.heartlight.org (2); http://www.canva.com; http://www.dailyverses.net; http://www.canva.com (2).
From the Inside Out 
So powerful Nancy!! I especially liked this: You provide strength in the midst of the journey, not before it has begun. But the one I most relate to is: I feel inadequate to handle new responsibilities. That is so me. Thanks, I needed this encouraging word!!
It warms my heart to know this post was an encouragement to you, Sheila. Praise God and thank you!
Thank you, Nancy. Your psalm could be mine. I praise the Lord for continuing to grow me into Jesus’ image.
You reflect the Lord’s glory as much as anyone I know, Nikki, and I know some incredible saints!! ‘Thankful that this post resonated in your heart, dear cousin.
This post is so good Nancy… it also reminds me how fickle we can be and how He is the answer to all we face!! You are the one who taught me the power of praise so many years ago!! I love that you are still teaching me new things and encouraging me to continue to grow and know Him better❣️Thank you❣️
Thank you, Lisa, for your sweet encouragement. Isn’t it amazing that for every category of negative thinking we humans can engage in, God has presented the life-giving, peace-producing antidote in his Word! Praise God for his sufficiency, indeed!
Dear Nancy, how timely, how richly encouraging. Thank you for juxtaposing our small follies alongside God’s largesse, offered always and absolutely. And what fun to see the quote from our dear Jody! So clarifying to read the scriptures like this today. Thank you.
Thank you, Laurie. I’m smiling big to think I provided you with encouragement. Love your phrasing: “God’s largesse, offered always and absolutely.” Just one of his infinite wonders!
Such a wonderful personal psalm, expressing every single thing I have ever felt or wondered about as a child of God! Thank you so very much for putting this all together. It is comforting to know that we all experience these negative thoughts and emotions. I’m going to print this out and read it often! I know at least three people who are experiencing a serious illness. This helps me to keep looking upward because our Lord knows the whys and wherefores; and His plans for our life here on earth are for the best. As an aside, I am currently reading Timothy Keller’s ‘The Reason for God’ before I pass it along to a loved one who is agnostic.
Seeing all these negative emotions lined up together and every one of them neutralized by our El Shaddai uplifted my own spirit! I’m so glad this post helped you to look upward to him. (Where would we be without him?!)
powerful encouragement here today, Nancy. Love your emphasis on words like In and Master Controller. – those hit my heart. Thanks for sharing your words
And thank you, Jean, for being a faithful reader and encourager!
Thank you Nancy. This is encouraging. You’ve helped to realign my thinking on a dull, flat sort of a day.
Well, praise God for his timing! Thank you for stopping by, Colleen.
Hi Nancy,
We have the only true source if coping skills with Christ. More than conquerors because God’s word isn’t just full encouraging mantras, but the real power to change us from the inside out.
Thank you,
Gary
Well said, Gary, and AMEN! Thank you for adding your insights.
Good reminders I needed to hear today. Thank you! 🙂
Praise God for his timing, that he used these reminders to encourage you, Kathie. That blesses ME! And may I add, he undoubtedly inspired me to write this post because I needed the reminding as well!