A Psalm to lean on…

I love the Psalms and the way that they’re so honest. So applicable. I love the way that they show so clearly a wide range of emotions and situations—joy, heartache, celebration, grief, health, sickness, faith, doubt, and many more.

No matter what you’re going through, or what you’re feeling, you can always find a Psalm that applies.

This past week, I was at a conference, away from home. One of the nights that I was there, I had a nightmare. I woke up frightened, heart pounding, and was instantly thankful that it had all only been a dream.

But as I tried to go back to sleep, a lingering feeling from the nightmare remained and left me feeling tense and worried.

And that’s when I thought of Psalm 23…

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death, [a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
(New International Version)

The reminder that God is with me–no matter where I am–and that He will comfort me was exactly what I needed to chase away my uneasiness. Fixing my thoughts on the goodness and love that He promises completely overpowered my worries.

And before I knew it, I was asleep again. This time without nightmares.

God’s promises have a way of doing that–calming our hearts and giving us peace.

Even if I don’t feel peaceful when I start reading or praying or simply saying a verse, somehow, by the time I’m done, I’m often filled with a peace that is truly beyond my own understanding.

If you’ve never memorized scripture, give it a try. It was such a comfort for me to be able to pray that Psalm from memory, to say the words in my head, and let the peace of God fill my heart.

What about you? Has memorizing, praying, or reading a Bible verse ever helped you overcome fear or worry?