Psalms 55:18–He redeems my soul in safety

In our natural reaction of wanting to rectify or make peace with situations that cause us stress, many times we can look at the “cause” so much, that we can ignore the “effect” it has on us.  Or focus on the effect of the stress so much, that we wish we could run from the cause!

Some people/things that cause us such stress, we can avoid by simply not being around.  Yet some situations and people are in our lives that we can’t avoid, because we are “attached” to them in a way that makes us care!  Because such situations are unavoidable, our emotions regarding it become “the battle that I wage” within…

The Psalmist like us, understands that the people we don’t care as much about, don’t bring the kind of anguish in our souls compared to those we do care for.  What is bringing this plea to God from the Psalmist, is that they are hurt by someone close to them (Psalm 55:13-14).  Yet their battle is not about stressing for the person “to act right”, but about how it has affected them, and now they have a battle within that they need God for…

Peace in God is not about controlling the stimulus around us, whether that’s spouse, family members, co-workers etc.  But it’s more about taking responsibility for our emotions, and realizing that our faith in Christ is strengthened, when we bring the battle within to Him for “safety”.  So the stronger the “stimulus” the deeper the prayer life.  The stronger the outward confusion, the deeper time in the Word, etc.

Remember a battle implies intensity and fight, and victory cannot come from passivity.  Take up the shield of faith and sword of Spirit to find peace from God in your “battles within”.

In Love Ld