Whenever I am anxious and worried, you comfort me and make me glad.
Psalm 94:19 GNT
Anxiety is a natural emotional response to uncertainty, danger, or overwhelming situations. Everyone experiences moments of uncertainty, where anxiety arises. The Psalmist uses the word “whenever,” emphasising that anxiety is not a one-time occurrence. Even he faced it multiple times. Meanwhile, the matter of occurrence focuses more on the situations that cause anxiety rather than manifesting the feeling itself. However, what matters most is how we respond to anxiety and worry.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6 NIV
The Bible acknowledges that situations causing anxiety will arise. But the critical question is: amid anxiety, where do you turn for comfort? Many believers seek comfort in humans, forgetting that true comfort is found in Christ through His Word and the Holy Spirit.
So, can you turn to God for comfort instead of running from pillar to post? He is always ready to reveal and show you the way. Can you prioritise God above prophets? The Psalmist found comfort in God, whose presence, promises, and love relieved his anxiety, transforming worry into gladness. This shift from anxiety to gladness demonstrates the power of God’s comfort. This power not only eases distress but also brings joy to a troubled heart.
Consider Hannah’s story in 1 Samuel 1. Profoundly distressed and anxious over her inability to conceive, she poured out her heart to God in prayer at the temple. Afterwards, she found peace: “Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast” (verse 18). God comforted her, and her sorrow turned to joy when she bore a son, Samuel. We can learn from Hannah, who did not bring her problem to a man of God but to God. Some people seek men of God and not God. They want to receive from God through the man of God, but they don’t seek a direct relationship with God.
Likewise, in Matthew 26:36-39, Jesus experienced profound sorrow as He anticipated His crucifixion. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed earnestly, expressing His anguish to the Father. He did not bury His head in anxiety or worry, but He prayed. Though troubled, God’s presence sustained Him, giving Him the strength to face the cross. This example shows that God’s comfort enables us to continue with strength and peace even in the most severe situations.
However, this comfort comes only through a profound relationship with God. Psalm 94:19 speaks of God’s ability to turn our anxiety into gladness, a comfort that stems from a deep, personal relationship with Him. While seeking guidance and support from pastors, mentors, and fellow believers is valuable, true and lasting comfort can only be found through a direct and intimate relationship with God. So, approaching any human should lead us to God and establish our relationship with God.
This personal relationship is nurtured through consistent prayer, worship, studying, and obeying God’s Word. As you spend time in God’s presence, you experience His comfort firsthand, much like the Psalmist did. This relationship becomes your source of strength, enabling you to face life’s challenges with peace and joy that come not from external circumstances but from God’s abiding presence within you.
While the support of pastors and mentors is invaluable, your personal and consistent relationship with God will ultimately sustain you through life’s journey. By investing in this relationship, you can experience the same solace, joy, and peace that the Psalmist testified about in Psalm 94:19. In times of distress when you turn to God, He is faithful to comfort you, transforming your anxiety into gladness. Therefore, prioritise seeking God daily and building a relationship that will carry you through every season of life.
