Times arise when we just have nothing left. No answers. No energy. No certainty. No direction. 

Tasks loom insurmountable.Turmoil stretches endless behind and before us. There is too much on our plate, draining our scant reserves.

We ache with longing as desires stack up unmet. Our demeanor labels us with hashtags: #troubled #stressed #confused #spent

When those times roll in wave upon wave, what can we do?  Even prayer comes hard. Where can we turn?

We open the scripture and let the Psalms lead us back to the presence and power of the Lord. 

Is there anywhere in scripture we can find struggles and feelings so poignantly spoken? Whatever the emotion of the psalmists – bitter complaint, anguished lament, or joyous exultation – they stir our hearts and express our deepest feelings.

More than half of the Psalms are written by David and are full of regret, struggle, anger, and frustration. And praise. David pours out his soul in no uncertain terms. He is blunt and dramatic and honest. 

David decries physical suffering. “My wounds fester and are loathsome…My back is filled with searing pain; there is no health in my body. I am feeble and utterly crushed. I groan in anguish of heart.” Psalm 38:5-8

He confesses sin. “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight.” Psalm 51:4

He reveals doubt. “Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” Psalm 10:1

He expresses distress that drains both physical and emotional health. “Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief. My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction.” Psalm 31:9-10

The psalmist puts it all out there. “All my longings lie open before you, O Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you.” Psalm 38:9 

After he empties his angst, he then calls on the name of the Lord for deliverance. He pleads for healing. He begs for mercy.

In faith, David moves on to declare the wonder and beauty of the Lord; the power and might that are His. He extols and boasts of his God. With poetic phrase, he describes His great mercy and love. David shouts to the Lord; enraptured with praise and worship.

When we grow weary with the struggle of our hard, we look to the psalmists for inspiration. Searching through the 150 songs and prayers, we find words that awaken us to His mighty, compassionate presence. And before long we are able to lift our eyes from the pages and raise our specific prayers and praises to Him. How?

First, disclose everything before God. He already knows, but chains are released when we get honest before Him. Are you wrestling in your faith with deep questions? Take them to Him. Are you angry? Shout out your frustrations to Him. Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? Tell Him. Name your hurts and fears. Unleash the troubles that cloud your mind.

Second, ask Him for mercy and grace. Plead for forgiveness and healing; for strength and perseverance. Cry out for wisdom and direction. Whatever the need, ask.

Third, leave your problems at His feet and rise to yours. In faith, name His virtues and holy characteristics. Remember what He has done for you in the past and give Him praise and honor.

Shouting out the attributes of God, being reminded who He is and what He has done for us, our spirit begins to dance in worship before Him. As we proclaim His great power and mercy and love toward us, the heaviness in our heart begins to lighten. The hope that was a weak, flickering flame starts to swell, throwing sparks into the darkness, our fears shrinking. Energy flows through our veins, invigorating our weary souls. And we stand armed to face the next step of our journey with quiet confidence and sustained strength.

“Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens,
Your faithfulness to the skies.
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
Your justice like the great deep.
O Lord, you preserve both man and beast.
How priceless is your unfailing love!
Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They feast on the abundance of your house;
You give them drink from your river of delights.
For with you is the fountain of life;
In your light we see light.
Continue your love to those who know you,
Your righteousness to the upright in heart.”
Psalm 36:5-10