Because Sometimes, Trusting God Feels Like Walking a Tightrope Over a Pit of Anxiety
Why Is Everything So Wobbly?
I don’t know about you, but some days feel like I’m balancing on a three-legged chair, in a windstorm, while people throw dodgeballs at my face. Life is a lot. The news is loud, the coffee is cold, and every time I blink, there’s a new crisis demanding my emotional energy. And in the middle of all this, I read Psalm 16:7-11—where David is out here saying things like, “I will not be shaken” and “My heart is glad, my body will rest secure.”
Uh… David, my guy. Teach me your ways.
Because I’d love to wake up every morning feeling “glad” and “secure.” Instead, I wake up trying to remember if I paid my bills, overanalyzing a text from two days ago, and bracing for whatever fresh chaos the world has cooked up overnight.
But here’s the thing—David wasn’t just writing pretty poetry. He was living in a world full of threats, uncertainty, and probably a fair amount of people plotting his demise. So, what did he know that we need to figure out? How do we tap into this kind of unshakable trust?
Let’s break it down.
The Secret to Stability (Spoiler: It’s Not in Your Bank Account)
David starts by saying, “I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.”
First of all, imagine having a built-in, divine guidance system. Siri, but for your soul. The Holy Spirit is constantly dropping wisdom into our hearts, even when we’re half-asleep or overthinking our life choices at 2 AM. But the catch? We actually have to listen.
Then he says,
“I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”
Okay, so David isn’t just coasting on good vibes—he’s choosing to keep God front and center. That’s a game-changer. Because let’s be honest, we set a lot of things before us: our stress, our social media feeds, our “what-if” anxiety spirals. No wonder we feel like we’re standing on unstable ground.
But when we put God first, we aren’t thrown off balance every time life does its thing. We’re grounded. Unshakable.
So, How Can We Be Less Shook and More Secure?
Alright, so how do we actually live this out? Here are three practical ways to anchor yourself when life gets wobbly:
1. Put God Before the Panic Scroll
Be honest—what’s the first thing you reach for in the morning? If it’s your phone, you might be setting yourself up for a stress avalanche before you even get out of bed. Instead, start your day with scripture, a short prayer, or even just acknowledging God’s presence before diving into the chaos.
2. Treat God Like Your Personal GPS
David trusted that God was actively leading him. We can do the same, but it requires paying attention. When you’re making a decision, pause. Pray. Listen. Let God’s wisdom be the thing that guides you, not just your gut instincts (which, let’s be real, sometimes lead us straight into a mess).
3. Remind Yourself Who’s Really in Charge
David says, “You will not abandon me to the grave.” In other words—God’s got this. Your future isn’t hanging by a thread; it’s held by God. When fear creeps in, remind yourself: If God didn’t let death win over Jesus, He won’t let fear, failure, or uncertainty win over you.
Joy Is on the Other Side of Trust
David ends this Psalm with a promise:
“You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.”
Joy. Peace. Security. That’s what happens when we stop trying to control everything and start truly trusting God. And yeah, that’s easier said than done, but it’s a process worth committing to.
So the next time life throws you off balance, remember: You don’t have to be shaken. You don’t have to have all the answers. You just have to keep God in front of you—and let Him steady the ground beneath your feet.
Now go forth, trust God, and try not to trip over your own worries. You’ve got this. (Well, technically, God’s got this—but you get the point.)
