Psalm 13: Being Honest in our Pain
by John Sheeley
Recent studies indicate roughly one in four people in Georgia suffer from anxiety, which tends to line up with the rest of the country, which averages a quarter of the population suffering from this ailment. The largest group suffering from anxiety-related problems is in the 18- to 29-year-old population, which reports a staggering 42% suffering from anxiety. Top concerns cover everything from COVID, social inequality, and financial worries to inflation, taxes, and climate change. Our country, and approximately one-third of the world, have an anxiety issue that weighs heavily on their lives every day.
The fear and anxiety we experience are one result of the brokenness of our world. The Bible tells us that when the first humans chose to rebel against God, the consequences were not just for him but for all of humanity and even the creation itself. The effects of this first sin now permeate throughout his descendants and burden all of creation, bringing anxiety, worry, and ultimately destruction to our world. We can look through the pages of the bible and see how God’s people dealt with their own anxieties throughout the millennia, seeking out relief from this world’s worries and the crippling anxiety so many suffer from even today.
Psalm 13 is a passage where one of God's people, King David, deals with anxiety, pain, and suffering. Psalm 13 is a profoundly personal and emotional prayer of King David, and it is also a model for us as we bring our own pain before God. In his hardship, David honestly turned to God with his pain and expressed his faith and trust in Him. Exploring the themes and lessons of Psalm 13, we see how it can speak to us in our times of trial and struggle.
Being Honest
The Psalm begins with David's honest and heartfelt cry to God: "How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day?" (Psalm 13:1-2, ESV). David feels abandoned and forgotten by God and wonders how long he will endure his current circumstances.
This is a common experience for many people who may feel lost or alone in difficult times. We may feel as though God is distant or unresponsive to our prayers. David's honest expression of his emotions reminds us that bringing our pain and struggles before God is okay. We can cry out to God in our times of distress and trust that He hears us. David’s lament isn’t tidy or pious or perfect. He cries out with deep anguish and despair, honestly expressing what he feels to God. And God can handle it.
But even during his despair, David does not give up hope. He continues to cry out to God, asking Him to “consider and answer me, O Lord my God” (Psalm 13:3). He recognizes that God is the only one who can bring him relief and salvation, and he places his trust in Him.
Turning to Truth
As the Psalm progresses, we see a shift in David's attitude. He declares his confidence in God, saying, "But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord because he has dealt bountifully with me” (Psalm 13:5-6).
This is a powerful statement of faith and trust in God. Despite his circumstances, David turns his attention to what he knows to be true: God is steadfast, savior, and generous. He acknowledges that God has been good to him in the past, and he believes that God will continue to be good to him in the future. He chooses to focus on God’s faithfulness rather than dwelling on his current troubles.
This Psalm also reminds us that our struggles are only sometimes resolved quickly or easily. God doesn’t give David an immediate answer to his prayers - he continues to cry out to God, wondering how long his troubles will last. This is a reality many people face - sometimes, our problems persist for weeks, months, or even years. But like David, we can trust in God's love and goodness, even when we do not understand why we are going through difficult times.
Prayer is a powerful tool for dealing with our difficulties. When we pray our struggles and fears to God, we acknowledge our dependence on Him and invite Him into our situation. It is an act of faith to confess the truth of God’s goodness in the face of our struggles. Even when we do not receive an immediate solution, we can trust that God hears our cries and works for the good of those who trust him.
When Life Isn’t Hard
Psalm 13 also challenges those who are not currently experiencing trials or difficulties. Reading David's honest expression of his emotions reminds us that many people around us daily may be struggling, albeit silently. As we go about our daily lives, we may encounter people experiencing hidden pain and difficulty we cannot see. Psalm 13 encourages us to approach others with compassion and empathy, recognizing that they may be going through struggles that we know nothing about.
Seeing David's struggles and acknowledging the existence of anxiety and concern within our lives also speaks to why the gospel message is so fantastic and changes everything for us. The gospel tells us that because of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, those who trust him are being made new again in this life and will be completely transformed in the life to come with him in paradise. These are temporary struggles for a time, but life in Christ gives us hope and one to trust in when we are losing hope.
The gospel also drives us to serve and care for those around us who suffer from these afflictions. Because we have the promise of the Lord’s comfort, “When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul" (Psalm 94:19), we may be able to “comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:4).
At the New City family of churches, we utilize our Missional Communities as families of missionary servants “to equip the Church, God’s people, to be the means through which Jesus makes Himself known in our neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, and the places where we play.” These communities are where comfort for the afflicted and a safe place for the struggling can be found because of what Jesus has done for us. Living in the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ and helping others to do the same.