managing “unmanageable” feelings

My soul melts away for sorrow;

strengthen me according to your word!

Put false ways far from me

and graciously teach me your law!

I have chosen the way of faithfulness;

I set your rules before me.

Psalm 119:28-30

There is a powerful pattern here in these three verses in this Psalm that celebrates the wonder and power of God’s Word. This pattern helps manage “unmanageable” feelings. This pattern is worth thinking through and applying. 

The feeling of sorrow is truly devastating. The picture of it melting the soul is so appropriate. At times it saps a person of all spiritual, emotional, and physical strength. It can dominate all outlooks. It can oppress and depress. Sorrow is an awful experience. I know this too well. But there is strength to be found by turning to the Word of God. In the scriptures God gives sustaining and strengthening insight. So a principle emerges from verse 28: In sorrow, open your Bible for strength!

The second movement of this pattern is in verse 29: Repent of lies you’ve believed and learn God’s law. I don’t think it is co-incidence this principle follows on the call to turn to scripture in sorrow. Grief has a way of slowly and very effectively lying to a person. It tells you that things can never be the way they were and hence never will get better. It keeps you stuck. It falsely assures you nobody understands or can really help you. It lies and tells you that you are an unhappy outcast. And God’s Word tells us the opposite. God heals. God grows us through difficulty. God places us in caring community in His Church. Redemption brings joy. The way out? Repent from all the lies that sorrow tells! Believe God’s Word instead!

And a third step in the pattern is taught in verse 30: Choose faithfulness to God’s truth. Emotions overwhelm but we can choose to think beyond them. Sin can dominate, but we can choose to repent from the lies. And by faithfully, consistently, daily exposing our souls to God’s truth, life can change. It can get brighter. It will be better. Healing, joyful vision for tomorrow, and strength will come in God’s way and timing. Praise God that His Word speaks, encourages, and changes us!