Moving Beyond Dismay

Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am pining away; Heal me, O Lord, for my bones are dismayed.

Psalm 6:2 nasb

Pause

In Hebrew, the word dismay implies collapsing in a heap after receiving bad news or losing hope in difficult circumstances.

Insomnia struck after leg injuries left me in a wheelchair. Physical and emotional energy seeped away, and my thoughts spiraled down, down, down into dismay. I began to fear never regaining my strength or sleeping well again.

Things changed when I recognized the connection between my thoughts and despair. I began retraining my mind to focus on God’s promises, such as those found in Isaiah 50:7: “Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.” The living God, for whom nothing is impossible, is our helper. He’s bigger than any hardship we face. He hears our cries. He’s on our side. And He’s by our side.

How are you really doing today? If you’re feeling dismayed, then reread the preceding paragraph. Make it your focus and prayer: “God, you’ve promised to help me. You’re bigger than my hardship, you hear my cries, you’re on my side, and you’re by my side. Thank you.”

Ponder

What part of Isaiah 50:7 means the most to you? Why?

Pray

Father, be gracious to me. Rescue me from dismay as I focus on your promises.