Title
Troubled Hearts and Distressed Souls
Scripture
The troubles of my heart have enlarged; bring me out of my distress.
(Psalm 25:17)
Devotional
Have you ever had a troubled heart, not knowing what to do in a given situation? If you have not experienced one yet, you most likely will. In this life, we all experience times of trouble. We struggle with decisions about finances, relationships, business, and yes, love. When the heart is troubled, the soul is distressed. A hurting heart causes the mind to wander and devise all sorts of conflicts and anguish. So we find ourselves hurting and broken-hearted. We need comfort and healing. However, broken hearts are not healed by rhetoric or platitudes. Broken hearts are healed by the love and mercy of God. Only God can truly heal a broken heart. Only God can mend a distressed soul. When King David found himself greatly distressed, he strengthened himself in the Lord his God. When you find yourself troubled and distressed, do likewise. Strengthen yourself in the Lord through prayer, praise and worship. Your God will deliver you.
Thought For The Night
“Worship helps people see God in the midst of their troubled lives.” Paul Anderson, (1932-1994), Olympian, Strongman, Philanthropist and devoted Christian.
Evening Text
Psalm 25:17: The troubles of my heart have enlarged; bring me out of my distresses!
Looking for Answers
· Why does God allow His children to be troubled?
· When is it good to be troubled?
· What troubles you?
Evening Study Guide
Defining: We can be troubled in the positive or negative sense. David was rightly troubled by his enemies. On the other hand, consider the troubles of Martha, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things,” Luke 10:41.
Referencing: “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all,” Psalm 34:19.
Applying: Make sure that the things that are troubling you are the things that trouble God. Remember, it is hard to be troubled when worshipping God.