Trusting at Night and in the Morning

READ: PSALM 143; LAMENTATIONS 3:22-26

Anxiety often gets to me at night. I don’t know what the morning is going to bring. There’s a heaviness that comes over me as it draws closer and closer to the time I go to bed. I try to reach out in that time and cling to God, but sometimes I struggle to do that.

Night can be especially hard to deal with when we have family members who are struggling or when someone we love is in the hospital. We may feel like we need to stay awake to wait and see if we get any news from them, but we also know that we need to get rest.

When I read Psalm 143:8, David’s words felt like something I could have written myself. It’s a prayer I’ve prayed before and will continue to pray: David says, “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” As we lay down to sleep, we can ask to see God’s love in the morning. We can ask Him to show Himself when we get up the next day. And we can ask Him to look out for the people we love. When we wonder what the morning might bring, we can trust that God will be there, and He will direct our steps (Psalm 32:8; Matthew 28:20).

Sometimes I struggle to reach out to God. But even in times of anxiety and heaviness, I know that God will take care of me. He is in control, and He is trustworthy. So I can let go of my fears and let the next day come—with all of its worries—and know that I will be okay because He loves me. • Emily Acker

• Jesus invites us to come to Him with all our heavy anxieties and find rest (Matthew 11:28-30). Because He loves us, Jesus died and rose again so we could live with Him forever. When He returns He will make all things new, free from every kind of trouble. In the meantime, we may still feel anxious, but we can know that we are held securely in His love. Consider taking a moment to talk to Jesus, telling Him about whatever is on your mind and ask for His help.

• If you’re having difficulty sleeping, or if you find yourself feeling afraid, stressed, or worried alot of the time, who is a trusted adult you could talk to, such as a parent, pastor, or counselor? If you need someone to talk to, you can request a free conversation with Focus on the Family’s Counseling Department by calling 1-855-771-HELP (4357) weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Mountain Time). Please be prepared to leave your contact information for a counselor to return a call to you as soon as possible. In Canada, book your appointment by calling 1-800-661-9800 between 8:00 a.m.and 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) and ask to speak with the care associate.

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love… Psalm 143:8 (NIV)