The 23rd Psalm

If you visited me here yesterday, then you know that I posted the 23rd Psalm for Word Filled Wednesday.  And....you might have noticed that I've included it in the left hand column of my blog. 
I want to share with y'all why.  

I signed up to receive a daily devotional from 

Girlfriends in God

and, it was certainly no coincidence that the very first e-mail that I received talked about stress....something that so many of us have to deal with on a daily basis....probably some of you reading this much more than I do.

The following quote from the devotional really caught my attention:

I believe much of our stress is the result of a constant and innate quest to love and be loved. 

You see....the reason I can apply that to me....is because I often find myself being a "people pleaser".
I often worry and fret over things I say and do wondering if it's gonna make somebody angry.....what will they think....
....will they still "like" me?!?!?  
All of these questions cause me to often go out of my way to please others....when I'm certainly not doing it for the right reasons....I'm miserable....and God is getting absolutely no glory at all!

Galatians 1:10

Obviously, I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God.  If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant. 

Ouch....that last part is really an eye opener....


 "if pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant".


The writer of the devotional went on to challenge the readers to read the 23rd Psalm every day for a month and see if your stress level goes down.
I only started this at the first of this week....but I can already tell a big difference in how I'm dealing with a certain situation in my life.  Here are the phrases that just jump out at me every single time I read it....

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.

It doesn't say I have all that I want....but all that I need....and all I need is HIM!!

He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. 

The words "bringing honor to His name"....make me stop and think about what I'm doing, or saying....is it really bringing Him the glory?

Even when I walk through the darkest valley,  

I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. 

As I've shared with y'all before, I sometimes suffer from depression....which can be a "darkest valley".  What a comfort to know that HE is close beside me!!!

  Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. 

Just like a shepherd has to take his staff and correct the wayward sheep....and as necessary as it is that we correct our children and grandchildren....our precious Lord and Savior has to do the same for me....it's necessary that He keeps me in line!!!

 My cup overflows with blessings.

I can't even find the words to talk about this one....other than to say "Thank you, Jesus"!!! 

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life.

You know what word stands out to me in this statement...."pursue"....that God loves me enough to "pursue" me....to come after me....to long for me to love Him as much as He does me!!!

WOW!!!

So, my precious readers.....my challenge to you is to also read the 23rd Psalm....every day for 30 days....and see if it doesn't change your way of thinking, too!!! 


To be continued.....on Saturday!!!

In His Most Precious Love....and with mine!!!