Consider It

Take a moment to think through the following questions.

• What are the things that are causing the most stress in your life right now?
• Does the advice of David in this psalm seem easy, or hard?
• Have there been times you've taken this advice in the past? How did that turn out?

Apply It

Verse 8 gives the perfect application of this lesson. "O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge" (emphasis added). Be honest with God. If you have more than you can bear right now, tell Him. If you're frustrated with all the demands on your time, bring them to God. And then trust in Him. He will answer you--maybe in an unexpected way--but He will answer everyone who honestly comes to Him.

Express It 

Take ten or 15 minutes today in a quiet spot alone with God. Whenever you can fit it in, pick a place with the least amount of distractions and just "wait quietly before God." It will feel weird at first and even like a waste of time. But ask God to give you a bit of His peace and a word of comfort. Do what you can to make this a habit.