I love reading the Psalms because they are so honest. I came across Psalm 22 today. As I read it I had several of my friends who are dealing with post-combat issues in mind. The whole Psalm talks about suffering and even begins by asking where God is at. But sprinkled throughout are verses like this:
3Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One;
19But you, O Lord, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me.
24...he has not hidden his face from him but has LISTENED to his cry for help.
In verse 3 I see David fighting the fear and frustration by simply remembering what God has already done. Remembering is a healthy weapon against fear, depression and frustration. Nothing is a hopeless cause when you look at what did in other hopeless causes.
I see David dealing with the feeling of giving in when he reminds himself that God is his strength.
He remembers that while it feels dark and lonely God always hears, ALWAYS!
I was talking with some of my combat vet friends recently and one of them said, "It will always be this way. It is never going to get better." And I know that he really feels that way. It isn't that he doesn't believe in God or love Him. It just feels like it will never change. I see David crying out to those guys and saying, "Your always isn't God's ALWAYS. God ALWAYS changes things. God ALWAYS hears. God ALWAYS cares. God ALWAYS redeems. God ALWAYS restores."
If I could tell you one thing today it would be to listen to and look for God's ALWAYS when yours is too much to bear.
No comments:
Post a Comment