When I am aware of thoughts that are causing me to lose sleep or I have feelings of discomfort in my body — I am learning to just run to God. It is easy to blame others, like your spouse, a political party, or the government for your frustrations. I am thankful that as I run to God, I can just say, “Lord, this is what is on my mind and my heart. God, what is your answer to my frustration? How can I align with you in this situation?” I can then wait for God’s answer. God has victory in store for your life, and half of that victory is just believing that it is so. 

Looking at the life of David gives me hope. Pondering David’s life, we always think of him as a saintly person, but he was not. He is that friend of yours you want to go to a party with, but you know you probably shouldn’t. From his writings you see his life go through waves. Our lives go through waves as well; good phases, and phases where we struggle through life’s challenges. The shocking thing is not that David is a train wreck, but that God loves David so much. I’ve often asked myself “What makes David so special?” I think what makes David so special is that his heart is always yearning for God. When he was wrong, he would go to the Lord and confess his sins. You can hear him confessing, “Lord I am a dummy, I have sinned, I am so sorry. Please forgive me.” God’s immediate response is, “okay!” God is amazing, this should give us great hope!

As David is anointed King, his challenges become worse. He comes under attack, he’s worried, fearful, and just does not know what to do. Psalm 27 states: “The Lord is my light and salvation, whom shall I fear?” Salvation says that God cares about everything, your spirit, soul, and body. Next, it states: “The Lord is the stronghold of my life, of whom should I be afraid.” The word stronghold describes a castle, a wall of protection. In the ancient world when raiders would come, people would just run into the stronghold of protection and wait. 

Friend, as we look at the waves of David’s life we too are encouraged to run to God and wait. We don’t have to stand in a situation and worry or defend ourselves, just run to the stronghold. We can run into the protection of God. It is natural, it is what you do. You run to God and in that safe place, you are able to sort out life. Isn’t this great news?