Refuge of Grace

Recently, anxiety got the best of me by attaching securely like Velcro—hanging on my shoulder, pressing my chest, and making it hard to breathe. In that moment, I knew I needed to go to sleep, hopeful the morning would bring peace rather than anxiety.

However, when I awoke, I couldn’t dislodge the restrictive strap of anxious tension. No matter how worn down I feel, I know I need time with Jesus. I shuffled to the table with my coffee, pulling out my Bible and a study on hymns. In God’s perfect timing and grace, the study led me to Psalm 150. The psalmist writes,

“Praise the LORD!

Praise God in his sanctuary;

Praise him in his mighty heavens!

Praise him for his mighty deeds;

Praise him according to his excellent greatness!”

Psalm 150:1-2, ESV

As I read God’s word, it was as if God’s hand pulled up on the latched Velcro strap, slowly redirecting my gaze upward to praise. My heart began to pour out praise for God’s great deeds in my life—the gift of the Holy Spirit, His presence in my darkest days, my supportive husband, His truth-filled word, evidence of His work in my children, and the list continued. My breath no longer expelled worry; instead, just as the words of the psalmist described, my breath praised my Creator and Savior.

Lifting up my head after praying, I felt lighter—free from the anxiety which so easily binds me. Suddenly, the anxious thoughts paled in comparison to the mighty God of the heavens.

Will feelings of anxiety return? More than likely. And yet, this redirection of praise gives me hope that the worries and anxieties won’t win, but God does and this is something to truly praise!