Have you ever felt like the weight of life was bending you low, wearing you down, and discouraging you?

As I was wandering around the property a few days ago, I noticed the daffodils. They were bright, yellow, and fully bloomed, yet they were weighed down and bent over from the storm the night before. Water drops remained on their leaves.

Do you ever feel like that ~ weighed down, blown over? Like one more little circumstance, perhaps as small as a water drop is to a daffodil, will make you completely bend? Or like one more gust of wind will break you?

The Psalmist had experiences and feelings like this. But what did he do? Read Psalm 119:81-88.

My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word. Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me? For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes. How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me? The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law. All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me. They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts. Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.

“All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.” Amidst the persecution, affliction, and distress, he did two things. He chose to think on truth (“I hope in Thy word… I do not forget Thy statutes…All Thy commandments are faithful.”) and prayed (“help thou me… quicken me after Thy loving kindness”).

So whatever the trial you may be wrestling through, take the Psalmist’s example ~ focus on the truth of God’s Word, and pray. These two things are just what the enemy of our souls does not want us to do. But the Lord will strengthen you to endure and persevere!