What do you do when your whole world is rocked by an unexpected truth that slaps you in the face? What do you do when your whole life is changed in a matter of seconds? Who is it, or what is it, that has you by the throat and is seemingly choking the life out of you? What do you do when you thought that a medical issue had been dealt with and solved only to be told it had returned with a vengeance? What do you do when you are told the only hope is radical treatment and surgery is not one of your options?
The Book of Psalms is the answer that God has provided as the spiritual tranquilizer for our lives. Psalms is unique in the sense that it speaks to every human experience – good or bad. However, God’s tranquilizer is too often looked upon as a last resort, if at all. This tragic mistake brings mental anguish upon untold millions as they struggle with the overwhelming traumas.
Robert R. Taylor, Jr. wrote Studies in Psalms. In the first chapter under one of the subheadings he wrote, “It is a proper usage of Psalms to go there for strength in weakness, for comfort in sadness, for understanding in times of confusion and for greater faith in times of crippling disbelief.” Under his heading “Points to Ponder” he wrote, “Psalms touches the chords of every emotion of the human heart. Psalms is a spiritual oasis to every soul that hungers and thirsts for God and His righteousness.”
In his book, Know Your Bible, Frank J. Dunn wrote, “No other portion of the Bible so splendidly portrays the majesty and glory of God or so clearly expresses the power and excellence of His word as do the Psalms.” He lists several reasons why we should cultivate the habit of regularly turning to the Psalms for reading and meditation. In one of those reasons our brother in the faith states, “Psalms must have been Christ’s favorite book because He quoted from it more than any other book, even while on the cross (Matthew 27:46).” The Psalms are indeed most profound!
Matthew 27:46 reads, “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’” There are no words in any language that could ever adequately describe what agony Jesus endured at that precise moment as He cried out those words! No human suffering ever endured mentally or physically can ever touch the hem of the garment of His suffering on the cross!
Virtually all of us have had to submit to the regiment of taking prescription medications. Years and years ago, there was a commercial with the tag line, “Medicines can’t help you if you don’t take them right.” We know that, or do we? This medical fact is lost on some of us because we expect to get better, even if medications are not taken right. Some of us even have the audacity to complain to our doctors when our condition does not improve and in some cases, gets worse.
Since medications must be taken right to improve and maintain our physical well being, what about our spiritual well being as we must face life as it is? People and circumstances may bring us to the brink of collapse, but God provides the strength to continue.
If we are facing a grave medical condition, no matter what kind it happens to be, turn to God. His spiritual tranquilizer: “Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who delights greatly in His commandments. He will not be afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD” (Psalm 112:1, 7 ESV).
If we are facing threats of physical safety, turn to God. His spiritual tranquilizer: “Blessed be the LORD, who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation. Our God is the God of salvation; and to God the LORD belong escapes from death” (Psalm 68:19-20).
If we are facing the turmoil of broken relationships, turn to God. His spiritual tranquilizer: “You pushed me violently, that I might fall, but the LORD helped me. The LORD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation” (Psalm 118:13-14).
If we are facing the heartbreaking loss of a loved one, turn to God. His spiritual tranquilizer: “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints” (Psalm 116:15).
If we are facing the fear of the unknown, turn to God. His spiritual tranquilizer: “I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4).
The only lasting and reliable answer to living and its myriad of problems is turning to God. Any and all other reactions are a total waste of precious time, as well as a draining of mental and physical energy. To help us face and accept the traumas of life, the first tranquilizer we need to reach for is the Bible.
