When Trouble Comes…

“Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing;

heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭6‬:‭2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Throughout October we were exploring Psalm 6 together, another psalm attributed to David, and another psalm which finds him troubled in every aspect of his life- mind, body and spirit. He talks of his deep sorrow and his weariness, begging for God to rescue him from his troubles.

Our attention was drawn to the different words various translations gave to describe how David was feeling. Words such as ‘faint’, and ‘weak’ are used in some, however other versions use more descriptive words such as ‘languishing’ (ESV) and ‘vexed’ (KJV). The Message paraphrases this as being ‘beaten up badly in bones and soul’- David is decidedly not happy!

We discussed how refreshing it is to read a passage of scripture like this, which pulls no punches in its honesty. Life can be extremely challenging. As a community made up of disabled, chronically-ill and neuro-diverse people, it is important that we acknowledge this, especially when those around us appear oblivious, or even impatient with us when we talk about continuing physical, mental or spiritual pain.

At YouBelong, we want to recognise that ‘languishing’ or being ‘vexed’ when trouble comes is not only important, but also necessary. This psalm models how someone in an intimate relationship with their creator recognises where their salvation comes from. As a child of Almighty God, David pleads and begs in his ‘vexed languishing’, unguardedly pouring out his heart to the one who can rescue him. As he does this, his childlike tears and groans communicate more than any number of words could do. Finally, David displays his childlike trust that his Lord has heard and accepts his pleas.

This psalm is a reminder that pain and trouble are a reality for many of us. If you feel you are languishing, or waiting for an answer to the question ‘how long?’, like in verse three, perhaps we could sit with you, and wait for the Lord together?