“Oh no, I shouldn’t have said that? What will they think of me now?”
“What if this doesn’t work out? What if I’m not good enough?”
I’m awakened by my racing thoughts and pounding heart.
“Do you really think you have what it takes?”
The thoughts echo as my trembling hand reaches out for my glass of water.
My pillow’s soaked from sweat. I wipe my face and steady my nerves with deep breaths.
“Abba, Lord,” I whispered. “I need your stillness. Calm the raging storms of my mind.”
“ Return unto thy rest, oh my soul. Peace, be still.” I urged.
Whenever I get distracted by life’s problems, I often picture Jesus calming the storm on the sea of Galilee. Like that storm, thoughts thunder about in my mind often rendering me paralyzed. However, like a flash of light in a darkened room, I am reminded of the God’s promises over my life. As believers, we are not powerless to fear and anxiety. By prioritizing time with God through seeking his word, his peace and solace will be in constant supply as you navigate through life’s twists and hurdles.
Here are a few of my go to scripture verses from psalms that usually soothes my heart and mind when anxious.
Psalm 61
Hear my cry, Oh God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed… (v. 1- 2)
For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings…(v. 3 – 4)
Psalm 91
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. (v. 1 – 3)
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. (v. 5 – 7)
There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. (v. 10 – 11)
Psalm 121
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. (v.1 – 3)
The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore. (v. 7 -8)
Psalm 116
I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live. (v.1 – 2)
Then called I upon the name of the Lord; O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul. (v.4)
Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee. For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. (v. 7 – 8)
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. (v.1)
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (v.3 – 4)
Reading these and other scriptures will help to lift the cloak of heaviness and provide great comfort during your times of distress.
Stay Blessed,
Daydri