“The righteous cry, and Yahweh hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit.”
If you are starting this series, something probably brought you here. A tightness in your chest that will not let up. A mind that will not stop running at night. A dread you cannot trace to anything in particular.
Before anything else, hear this. What you are carrying is real. It is not weakness, and it is not a character flaw, and it is far more common than you think. Some of the people you assume have it all together are white-knuckling their way through the same thing.
Notice where the psalm says God is. Near to the brokenhearted. Not waiting at a distance for them to pull themselves together first. Not disappointed in them. Near.
That matters, because anxiety tells a very specific lie. It says you are the only one, and you have to handle this by yourself, and if people knew they would think less of you. Scripture says the opposite. God moves toward crushed spirits. He is not embarrassed by yours.
One more thing today, and please take it as care rather than a checkbox. Reaching out for help is a wise and faithful step, not a failure of faith. Talking to your doctor or a licensed counselor about anxiety is a good thing to do. So is telling one trusted person, and getting connected to a life group at a local church so you are known and not carrying this alone.
If you are in a dark place, or having thoughts of harming yourself, please tell someone today: a doctor, a counselor, a pastor, or someone you trust. In the US, you can call or text 988 anytime to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline; if you are elsewhere, your country likely has a similar free helpline.
You are not alone in this. Let us start there.
Talk About It Together
Take these slowly. If you are doing this with someone you trust, go one at a time.
- What made you pick up a devotional about anxiety right now?
- Where do you feel it most, in your body, your thoughts, or your sleep?
- Who is one person you could tell honestly how you have been doing?
Tonight’s Challenge
Tell one trusted person one true sentence about how you have actually been feeling lately.
Prayer
God, You say You are near to the brokenhearted, and that is what we need to be true tonight. Thank You that You are not disappointed in us for struggling. Meet us in the tightness and the racing thoughts. Give us courage to be honest with You and with one safe person. Amen.