Part 2: Do You Want to be Well?

Wellness: Remaining in the Psychological/Spiritual Process

Let us continue to examine the psalmist’s attitude in Psalm 77:4-9.

The last post determined he, the psalmist, is in trouble and seeking comfort.  He is also trapped in his feelings and focused on himself.

By way of context, my question for this troubled soul, which may be in anguish, discouraged or filled with despair, is why seek God?  Do you really want to be well?

Last week, verses 1-3 revealed a self-focused person caught up in how they felt.  This is also evidence of someone living in constant fear:  “What about me?” 

Now, in verses 4-9, we see some progression in his thoughts.  He is moving from fear to an examination of his own faith. 

Author: kasiastock

First, though, he blames God by saying:  I can’t sleep because of you.  “You hold my eyelids open.”  Yet, his accusation goes a bit farther by stating, “I’m so troubled, I cannot speak.”  Some versions say he cannot pray.

Why can’t he pray?  Again, self-focused and now, a victim.  “Because you did this to me, I can’t…”

This could be interpreted as 1) blaming God for not being able to sleep, rest, take his mind off his trouble; or 2) blaming God for not being able to pray.  “You are not giving me what I want (sleep, relief from trouble), so I cannot pray.  I cannot talk to you.

Temper tantrum? 

Possible.

Examining One’s own Faith

Now the psalmist moves.  He moves from fear-based thinking to faith-based reflection.

Remembering

Our memories are powerful resources of comfort or trauma.  In this instance, the psalmist begins to remember.  These are good memories of God’s acts.  The praises the writer lifted up to God in the past are included in his present moment.  He ponders.  I call it, reflection.  It is like a cow chewing on the same piece of grass for hours and getting every nutrient possible.

The psalmist meditates within his heart (chews) and begins to search for God through a series of questions based on memory.  (Remember, God rewards those who diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6))

I like the questions because they allow us to peek into the human mind’s thoughts about God.  Do they stand for or against God’s solid promises of protection, peace and provision?  It is difficult, if not impossible, to admit that God is not what our feelings say, but who God says God is.

Questioning

The psalmist asks:

Will God leave me on my own forever?

This pain has lasted so long, this trouble seems to be never ending.  Will God ever show me favor again?

Another natural concern arises when the psalmist says, has God’s promises failed ME?  Are God’s promises for other people only?

Has God forgotten to be gracious and kind to me?  Does God even know what I am going through?  How much longer before I experience God’s kindness?

Has God closed the door and refused to be merciful to me anymore?

Powerful questions.  Honest, human questions.

Wellness, sometimes, is doubted because we know we need God’s help to achieve the greatest and healthiest acts towards ourselves.  If wellness is thinking good thoughts about ourselves and our situations, we need help sometimes.  If wellness is balance in the mind, body and soul, we still need help sometimes.

Our old habits don’t die easily, our flesh cries out to be constantly served and our external living troubles never cease.  So, we question God while trying to remember God’s kindness of the past and promises found in the Word for the provision of our present.

We can achieve wellness if we keep pushing.  Seeking God though our feelings, thoughts and His promises is often the way we find God.

Next time

This is not the end of the psalmist’s interactions with God.  But it is where this post ends.

It is a good ending place because it prompts reflection.  When have you questioned God in the face of trouble?  Did you move past this point in a positive or negative direction?  Has God’s history proven enough to groom your faith to the next level?  Has God’s proven Himself in your life?  What promises has God fulfilled in your life? 

Leave a comment about how God has proven Himself in your life.

Until next time…

M