Ataraxia in a Troubled World
When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. – Psalms 94:19
Psalms 94:16-23
16 Who will protect me from the wicked? Who will stand up for me against evildoers?
17 Unless the LORD had helped me, I would soon have settled in the silence of the grave.
18 I cried out, “I am slipping!” but your unfailing love, O LORD, supported me.
19 When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.
20 Can unjust leaders claim that God is on their side– leaders whose decrees permit injustice?
21 They gang up against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death.
22 But the LORD is my fortress; my God is the mighty rock where I hide.
23 God will turn the sins of evil people back on them. He will destroy them for their sins. The LORD our God will destroy them.
Living in an Age of Anxiety
The 21st century has brought with it a wave of challenges that have left many feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, and anxious. The conditions of our time, political instability, violence, war, famine, and death, bear an unsettling resemblance to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse described in Revelation 6:1-8. These ominous symbols of conquest, war, scarcity, and death seem to echo the struggles of our modern world. As a result, countless individuals are gripped by fear and crying out, “Please help me.”
Seeking Help in Troubled Times
In times of distress, it is natural for people to seek guidance and support from available resources. One such resource is Verywell Mind, which is consulted by over 150 million people annually for advice and answers. Their approach begins with a simple yet profound step: identifying and labeling one’s emotions.
They encourage individuals to take a moment to reflect on what they are truly experiencing. Common feelings include anxiety, panic, worry, fear, sadness, depression, grief, loneliness, anger, self-hatred, stress, shock, pain, hopelessness, and helplessness. While identifying these emotions does not solve the underlying problems, it provides clarity and serves as a starting point for addressing them.
Understanding the Causes of Emotional Turmoil
After identifying their emotions, individuals are encouraged to explore the likely causes behind them. These causes may include:
- Job loss or financial strain
- Insecurity or stressful working conditions
- Dramatic life events or mental health challenges
- Difficult relationships or relocating
- Discrimination, bullying, or harassment
- Loneliness, isolation, addiction, rejection, or neglect.
Identifying the underlying causes of emotional challenges enables individuals to concentrate on specific issues and initiate the healing process. Although this step may not yield immediate solutions, it establishes a critical foundation for meaningful progress.
The Overwhelming Nature of Fear and Anxiety
Fear and anxiety can feel like hidden enemies, striking suddenly and overwhelming both the mind and heart. These emotions can arise without warning, leaving individuals flooded with dread and unable to think clearly. Anxious thoughts often multiply, robbing us of our sense of peace and rationality. In these moments, we may feel numb and frozen, or conversely, extremely agitated and trembling with fear. Such experiences can leave us feeling helpless, powerless, and defenseless, as if we are trapped in a cycle of paralysis.
Turning to the Father for Peace
In the face of such intense emotions, David’s example gives hope. During his darkest times, David did not find help in other people. Instead, he turned to the Father, who alone gave him comfort and strength.
REFLECT & PRAY
Psalms 94:19 says, “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” This verse reminds us that the Father’s peace is available to those who seek Him, even in the midst of turmoil.
Father, so often I pour out my heart to You. Take my inner turmoil and anxiety and transform it into ataraxia. Grant me Your peace, which surpasses all understanding, and help me to rest in Your presence.
INSIGHT
The Father’s Comfort in Chaos
Children of the King have access to resources that go beyond the limits of this world. The Father is an ever-present source of comfort, even when our emotions spin out of control and our hearts are pulled in many directions. His goal isn’t just to calm our anxieties but also to meet us in the middle of our struggles, offering comfort and strength before any resolution begins.
The Process of Turning to the Father
As children of the King, we have the privilege of turning to the Father during our moments of turmoil. This process begins with crying out to Him and identifying our feelings, thoughts, and their underlying causes. Recalling and expressing these emotions often provides a cathartic release, allowing us to unburden ourselves before Him.
However, true transformation occurs when we shift our focus. By taking our eyes off our problems and fears and fixing them on the Father, something extraordinary happens. His peace and serenity begin to fill our souls, replacing our turmoil with a sense of calm.
This shift often leads us to praise and thank Him, not just for what He does, but for who He is. This change in perspective can make all the difference.
David’s Example in Psalms 94
David exemplifies this process in Psalms 94. He begins by crying out to the Father, expressing his raw emotions and seeking divine justice: Psalms 94:1-3 “O LORD, the God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, let your glorious justice shine forth! Arise, O judge of the earth. Give the proud what they deserve. How long, O LORD? How long will the wicked be allowed to gloat?”
David expresses his complaints by sharing his feelings and the reasons for his distress (Psalms 94:16-23). His lament encourages us to do the same. The Father invites our honesty and transforms our fears, sadness, and feelings of helplessness into worship and praise.
The Psalms: A Model for Honest Communication
The book of Psalms shows David and others actively engaging with the Father. It is filled with raw emotions like sorrow, joy, confusion, anger, desperation, praise, and lament. As J.R. Hudberg notes, “The Psalms show us God as a personal God who relates to individuals with specific and personal concerns.”
David’s emotions in Psalms 94 are unfiltered and intense. He seeks comfort and safety from the only One who can provide it. Instead of giving up, he is encouraged to keep going. In his darkest moments, David remembers the greatness of the Father, reminding himself that God knows everything people think, say, and do (Psalms 94:8-11).
The Father’s Loyal Love
Above all, David clings to the Father’s “loyal love,” or hesed. This steadfast love is the foundation of the Father’s relationship with every child of the King. Tragically, many of the King’s children forget how deeply they are loved. Recalling and meditating on the Father’s magnificent love and loyalty can lift us out of misery and despair.
Psalms 94:18 says, “I cried out, ‘I am slipping!’ but your unfailing love, O LORD, supported me.” Sadly, many of the King’s children forget just how deeply they are loved. Reflecting on the Father’s deep love and unwavering loyalty has the power to lift us from the darkest valleys of misery and despair. As our perspective shifts, we gain renewed hope, inner peace, the strength to persevere, and a richer connection with the Father.
As children of the King, we are called to see our circumstances in a completely new way. Trials and hardships, though painful, are opportunities for spiritual growth. When we adopt this new perspective, we move closer to the Father and gain a greater understanding of His plans.
The challenges we encounter are part of the Father’s child-training curriculum. When we experience spiritual rebirth, we are enrolled in His school of discipline. Instead of questioning or challenging Him with “Why?”, our response should be, “What would you have me learn from this experience?” and “What would you have me do?”
Conclusion
David’s example in Psalms 94 shows us that God is our safe place during difficult times. When we turn to Him, share our feelings, and focus on His greatness, we can improve. His loyal love supports us, His peace calms us, and His control reassures us. In every struggle, God invites us to trust Him, grow in faith, and rest in His unfailing love.
Anxiety and fear can feel overwhelming, but God’s peace surpasses all of that. By acknowledging our feelings, understanding their sources, and seeking comfort from God, we can start to feel better. His mercy and grace can calm even the most troubled heart.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
© Dr. H 2025
Dr H Reflections 