Hear my prayer, Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me. Psalm 86:6-7 

Most of us are conditioned to do anything to avoid an emotional breakdown. We’re afraid to lose control, let alone let someone else witness our puffy eyes. Why are we so averse to feeling helpless? We will try everything else before going to God in a puddle. In our hurts, we may even feel that God is further away than ever.

But what heights we can reach when we bow ourselves low before God! Brokenness is like an empty garden waiting to flourish with God’s touch. In humility, we find help, refuge, and rest near to the heart of God. Did you know that you can confess your true heart, even the ugly, angry, miserable thoughts to God? You don’t have to hold back because God is not offended by your honesty. God assures us that we are heard and that the promises of scripture will be honored. We will be rewarded for our faith in His promises (Hebrews 11:6).

Pouring out our hearts is simply emptying ourselves of all our troubles in God’s presence. The Psalmists were masters at this! Read their words to help express how desperately you want to hear from God and how much you want to be healed. Ask for a new heart, a cleansed conscience, and a lamp to light your path forward. You can even journal a psalm of your own to practice relinquishing control of your emotions to the God who cares so deeply for you.

 

Resource reading:  Psalm 38:1-22