tyler

Resources:

Dear Downhearted,

There are times and seasons in life that make you feel the burden of your humanness. Often there seems to be more questions than there are answers, more worries than there are joys, and more uncertainties than there are assurances. Fear and uncertainty come natural to us.

I recall a certain season not too long ago where I was gripped by fear and crippled by the unknown of the future—it was debilitating. One evening, I explained to a brother what I was going through and I will never forget the question he asked in light of all of it: “In spite of all you’re thinking and feeling, fearing and dreading, what do you know to be true of God?” He didn’t minimize my struggle or invalidate my feelings, but he drew me out of the whirlwind into a shelter of truth. Without knowing the intimate details of your own struggle, let me encourage you to consider a similar question: In spite of all you’re thinking and feeling, fearing and dreading, what does God’s Word say to be true? 

The words of King David in Psalm 138 provide rock-solid truth to cling to when the winds of fear and uncertainty blow their strongest. He says, “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me. The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.” (vv. 7-8 ESV). 

We can find solace in David’s song on a few levels. 

First, God is the one who preserves your life in the midst of trouble. When hardship comes, our tendency is to either turn inward to muster up enough gusto to make it through to the other side or to lay down defeated until a brighter day comes. Yet, the truth is that none other than God holds our life in His capable hands! 

Second, God always achieves His purposes. When difficulties arise, we tend to fear that God’s purposes for us have been thwarted. Yet, because God is both good and in control, we can hold fast that even when we don’t see the path ahead, God is leading us to conform us to the image of Jesus! We cling to the promise that the Lord is working all things for our good and His glory (cf. Rom 8:28)

Finally, God will not forsake you because Christ was forsaken in your place. The glorious news of the Gospel is that Christ Jesus cried the words of Psalm 22:1, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”, so that in him we can confidently cling to the promise that God will never leave us or forsake us (cf. Deut 31:8).

Friend, when the winds of fear and uncertainty rage against you, take shelter under the good promises the Father alone offers. He will see you through. 

Love,

Tyler