Sometimes we have a rough day and we feel like we are about to be knocked down. One more push and we are going to fall over. What do we do in those circumstances? Maybe we feel like King David, who is anointed king and then ends up running for his life in the desert. Even after he become king his own son literally tries to take him out. That is just a bad day. But fortunately his lessons speak to us in the age of text messaging and tweets and chats. He teaches us to:
1. Force ourselves to rest in God.
This seems like church talk but is a very practical way to live. David says, “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.” (Psalms 62:5 NIV) This may mean actually changing the talk that is going on in your head. I sometimes need to cut my own patterns of thinking out at the knees. I don’t think I am too off base to imagine David pacing the castle walls saying to himself, “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone.”
2. Be careful what you trust in during times of difficulty.
When I am in a difficult spot, I am looking for how I can fix the situation. I may be tempted to look for those things that can make me feel confident. David reminds us that even if there are external things that we could put confidence don’t trust them. “…though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.” (Psalms 62:10 NIV)
3. Tell God how you really feel.
When things get difficult we may want to turn into ourselves. This can quickly become very destructive. I love David’s picture on this, “pour out your heart to him” (Psalms 62:8) Like a glass that is full I must just let it all out before God. He is the place to hide when bad comes to get us.
4. Create a picture of God in your head and heart.
One of the dangers I face when life gets tough is to lose perspective. Whatever I am facing becomes bigger and bigger. Thoughts of God slide out of view. David reminds himself of two things about God that I have gone back to again and again in my life. “One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God are strong, and that you O Lord are loving.” (Psalms 62:11-12) Turn to a God who is both strong and loving in the midst of the things that would knock you down.
One of these things may give you a rope hold onto, but four of them can help you feel like you are standing on solid ground.
