Here’s a psalm I’d like to share with you…
A few years ago we were vacationing in Arizona, when I had an awful migraine attack that landed me in the emergency room. Excruciating is the best word I can use to describe it. I was only a Christian for a short time, and knew God is always with me and never leaves…But let me tell you, when you’re confronted with that much pain, or you can even relate to the worst adversity you’ve ever had…What you know as a fact about God goes out the window, and all kinds of crazy things enter your head.
It felt as though God had let me down. “After all,” I told Him, “I’m one of yours now, so why can’t you stop this from hurting?” “Why have you forsaken me?” “Help me!” “Don’t you care?” I was asking God many of these type questions while I was lying there in pain. I was eventually treated by the ER doctor, and the pain subsided. I was released.
That evening, I was in bed thinking these crazy thoughts again…when a thought entered my mind. The thought was to open the Bible and read psalm 77. I couldn’t believe it…psalm 77 was all about me!
“When I was in deep trouble, I searched for the Lord. All night long I prayed, with hands lifted towards heaven, but my soul was not comforted. I think of God and I moan, overwhelmed with longing for his help. You don’t let me sleep. I am too distressed even to pray!” v.4
“Has the Lord rejected me forever? Will he never again be kind to me? Is his unfailing love gone forever? Have his promises permanently failed? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he slammed the door on his compassion?” v.11-12
(These were the questions I was asking about God.)
“And I said, ‘this is my fate; the Most High has turned his hand against me.” v.10
This is where things change:
“But then I recall all you have done, O Lord; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago. They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.” v.11-12
Just like me, the psalmist was overwhelmed by troubles. But his focus suddenly changed…instead of thinking only of himself, he put away his doubts, and started worshipping God. He remembered what God had done for him in the past. That’s how he eliminated his stress.
Now in my case, I thought about how God’s great love for me sent His only Son to die on the cross for me…I deserved eternal punishment. It was me who should have died, but He took my place. When you realize this, and truly get it deep down in your soul what God has saved you from…you can do nothing but praise and worship him.
I put away the doubts I was basing my pity party on, and started to worship. I’ve learned that when we shift our focus onto God rather than ourselves, things will be well with our souls. After all, “God inhabits the praises of his people.” Psalm 22:3