Written by Jodi L. Aiken
Excerpted pages 79-80 from “Trust Issues”
A Note from Jodi: As I prayed about what to share with you this April, the Lord nudged me to share a snippet from my upcoming book, Trust Issues. The following is about how a King focused on the ultimate King. I enjoyed writing about David’s relationship with God at the beginning of each chapter. We can relate to so much about his life with God. I imagine that if I were to chat with him, he would say I know exactly what you are struggling with, and God can handle it all.
As we soak in stories about David, we gather that some loved him while others hated, harassed, and gossiped about him. I imagine their hurtful words, like daggers, deeply pierced his soul. In David’s own words, we catch a glimpse of the warrior’s heart. He uses phrases like “I am a broken vessel,” “I am in distress,” “my enemies speak evil against me,” and “all who hate me whisper together against me” (Psalms 31:9, 12–13; 35:11; 41:5, 7).
Like David, hearing untrue statements about us can cause us to wring our hands with despair. Even though we recognize them as lies, our tender hearts internalize them as truth, trapping us in misery.
What are we to do?
The answer, while simple, often seems so difficult to apply. We should imitate what David did when he was in anguish. He was faithful to intentionally turn his focus back toward God by seeking Him, recalling His faithfulness, and worshiping the one true God He trusted no matter what.
He sought God not because he had no one else to turn to but because he knew God was the only one in whom he could find refuge (Psalm 7:10). He was the only one he could trust to justly hear his complaint and act upon his cry for help (Psalm 5:1–2). What was the Lord’s response to David’s pursuit? God delivered him from his fears (Psalm 34:4).
He recalled God’s faithfulness because this brought security in knowing that God is unchanging and can always be depended upon to be righteous in all His ways and kind in all His works (Psalm 145:17).
His soul worshiped his faithful God with praises boasting in the Lord to magnify His name so others would hear and join him (Psalm 34:1-3). In his full trust in the one true God, David declared, “But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the lovingkindness of God forever and ever” (Psalm 52:8 NASB).
As David pinned down his emotions like a wrestling pro, he held his ground by placing his eyes, mind, and heart back toward his advocate, the Lord (Psalm 25:15). He craved to deepen his relationship with God by focusing on His ways and His truths while being led in the way he should live. David was willing to pursue God’s answer to his questions for as long as it took (Psalm 25:4–5).
He found that nothing could transcend a mind focused on God, not even feelings of abandonment or broken relationships. I imagine David discovered this through every small moment he turned to God after failing to stay focused on Him. Some of the most valuable life lessons are revealed through failure. I have failed too many times to count. However, God, by His grace, is patient with every one of us as we continue to train our minds to seek Him daily.
Ask Yourself:
Are you intentionally turning your focus back toward God when distressed? If not, create a plan to reroute your focus to recall God’s faithfulness to deepen your reliance on Him as your ultimate refuge.
* Allow God to use you to spread His encouragement. Please share this by forwarding this e-mail or sharing it on social media.
*Are you subscribed yet? Connect with me now and receive a free digital gift. Click Here!
PODCAST
I invite you to listen to my monthly Pennies in Your Path podcast. You can find it and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.
Did you receive this email from a friend and want to begin receiving updates from Jodi in your inbox? Click here to subscribe
Also, let’s connect! Follow me at these places below and say hi!
Facebook, Instagram, Podcast, Twitter, JodiAiken.com
