Restore the Joy

Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. ~ Psalm 51:12

I’m tired! The great hunker down of 2020; my dad’s death during the shut-down with no gathered friends and family and no hugs for my mom; the exceedingly stressful efforts to maintain a connection with the Shiloh family; the stressful efforts to make new connections online; the stressful planning, preparation, and implementation of limited contact worship services; assisting the staff in their stressful efforts; a major staff change; fits and starts with onsite worship and new technology; discerning God’s will for Shiloh and my service to God as pastor; preaching challenging and paradigm-shifting messages; continued efforts to spread the Word to new friends while encouraging the Shiloh family; helping my mother and siblings sort through my dad’s things; gradually opening more of the church’s resources while maintaining safe practices; striving to communicate and collaborate with everyone I should, writing encouraging words on Wednesdays, etc., etc., etc. Yup! I’m pretty weary. 

      Please don’t think I’ve shared this to cause your sympathy. I really didn’t mean it as a pitty-party or so that you would feel sorry for me. My intention is to join you in owning the added stress that these “unprecedented times” cause. I know you’ve been enduring similar stressors to mine. I did not mention the more common stressors like politics, riots, conspiracy theories, wildfires, hurricanes, earthquakes, drought, and global situations that we don’t know about because the information mongers in the media only tell us what they want us to know. And, because of that, we all endure stressful conversations and rants when we strive to struggle with loneliness and isolation. So, write your opening paragraph, read this one again, and then join me again at the start of the next one. 

    I started writing these Wednesday messages during the opening weeks of the shut-down. I intentionally start with a blank page on Wednesday morning and then write what’s on my mind. In many ways, these are self-serving as I strive to uplift my spirits. The scripture above came to mind as I skimmed through Shiloh’s and my social media feeds. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. The passage is from Psalm 51, which is the one King David wrote after being convicted of his sin with Bathsheba and her husband. As the psalm progresses it becomes apparent that David realized his complacence had led him away from the God he loved so much. 

    Most of us can relate to David’s sentiment. His frame of mind had changed so that he’d become more focused upon his self-interests than upon the LORD. In his case, it was a matter of success and comfort that led to smug selfishness. However, one can end up in the same state of mind when he is depressed, discouraged, hopeless, and stressed out. The things of God are far from front and center and there is even a temptation to blame God for one’s discomfort. When the pain is intense enough to warrant intervention, most humans have two basic options: medicate or meditate. Most medications only mask the pain for a little while. Many of the medications are self-prescribed and don’t come from the pharmacy. What are some of your medications of choice? Food, entertainment, shopping, excessive exercise, excessive attention to hobbies, social media, nicotine, caffeine, alcohol, sex, pornography, illicit drugs, others? What are some of the consequences of masking pain in these ways? Guilt, shame, deeper depression, lethargy, declining health, injury to loved ones, anger, outrage, debt, injury to reputation, and loss of employment? 

    Meditation can help to calm one’s soul, especially when meditating upon God’s Word (Logos=heart and mind of God). Meditation, in this case, is not about Eastern religious practices and finding a zen-like higher consciousness. It is about making a conscious decision to think about God and the Word of God instead of turning to a familiar, easily accessible habit that only numbs the pain for a short time. King David said in the psalm that his mind had turned to the satisfaction of his flesh and that led to temporary pleasure with disastrous consequences. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. 

    Take time to remember God’s provision and protection throughout your lifetime. Recall the stories you’ve heard from faithful women and men who knew the same sort of deliverance in their hard times. These reminiscences combine with Scripture to center our thoughts upon our loving LORD. When you are tempted to medicate the flesh, choose to meditate upon the heart and mind of God.

    Spirit-filled music and Spirit-given teaching and preaching have always served me well in times of discouragement, anxiety, and depression. Reading Scripture, Spirit-inspired books and articles, and joining in intentionally Spirit-oriented conversations can also help. Perhaps you can combine these with other inspiring activities like yard work, hiking, fishing, sewing, walking, cooking, healthy application of hobbies, etc.