Doubt, Endurance for the Journey, Featured
Troubling Thoughts
Listen to my prayer, O God,
do not ignore my plea;
hear me and answer me.
My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught
My heart is in anguish within me;
the terrors of death assail me.
Fear and trembling have beset me;
horror has overwhelmed me.
PSALM 55:1-2,4-5 (NIV)
During my time of depression, I had problems with strange, awful thoughts. My thoughts frightened me; it scared me that I was even capable of thinking such terrible things.
I later learned that obsessive-compulsive thoughts are often the result of depression. I was so relieved when I read that King David also was troubled by his thoughts. Today I point to Psalm 55:2 when I work with people who are experiencing depression and who have obsessive compulsive thoughts because they, too, are horrified that they could think such things. David gives us a wonderful example of what to do about this problem. Tell God about them, He counsels us. Bringing them out in the open takes away their secret power of shame and guilt. And it gives us the opportunity to ask God to help us overcome them.
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Yet I still belong to you;
You hold my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
leading me to a glorious destiny.
Whom have I in heaven but You?
I desire You more than anything on earth.
PSALM 73:23-25 (NLT)
On the journey with you,
Jan Dravecky
