The Anatomy of Anxiety

Part 27: Soothing Your Soul in Your Savior

Note: For previous posts in this blog mini-series, visit: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26.

Big Idea: Does worry, doubt, or fear get the best of you sometimes? Do you wonder where anxiety comes from and how to defeat it in your life and the lives of those you love? Then we need a biblical anatomy of anxiety. We need God’s prescription for victory over anxiety.

Even Warriors Can Become Worriers

Can you even imagine the great warrior, David, being terrified? It happened.

“David took these words to heart and was very much afraid of Achish king of Gath. So he pretended to be insane in their presence; and while he was in their hands he acted like a madman, making marks on the doors of the gate and letting saliva run down his beard. Achish said to his servants, ‘Look at the man! Why bring him to me? Am I so short of mad men that you have to bring this fellow here to carry on like this in front of me?’” (1 Samuel 21:12-15).

When a warrior becomes a worrier, what’s the biblical response? Psalm 34 provides the answer, for in it we hear David’s prayer to God immediately after he escapes the clutches of King Achish.

We Will Fear Someone

Psalm 34 teaches us that we will fear someone. Either we fear God or non-God. And this David teaches us that we learn to overcome fear by fearing God.

“I sought Yahweh and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. . . . Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of Yahweh” (Psalm 34:4, 11).

When terrified by life, we sooth our soul in our Savior by fearing God—by communing with God our Guard, Sentinel, Rock, and Deliverer. How did David sooth his soul in his Savior?

1. Praise God’s Infinite Power: Psalm 34:1-3

If a great adversary aligns against us, then our only hope is a greater advocate—the greatest Advocate—Yahweh!

Now, we don’t extol God just to stop being fearful. That’s self-centered, manipulative worship. However, true worship that envisions and exalts God as the all-powerful Champion does have real-life results.

2. Diligently and Humbly Seek God Personally: Psalm 34:4-6

Armed with the awareness of Who God is, David is naturally attracted to intimate communion with God. He seeks the Lord diligently. He looks for the Lord humble, dependently. He calls upon the Lord desperately. And God saves him out of all his troubles.

3. Fear God Your Warrior: Psalm 34:7-11

Ponder these amazing words: “The Angel of Yahweh encamps around those who fear him” (Psalm 34:7). Sound familiar? Encamps—that’s a military sentinel!

When life threatens your life, take refuge in and entrust yourself to your almighty Protector, Guard, and Sentinel.

It is in this context that we read the oft-quoted words:

“Taste and see that Yahweh is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Fear Yahweh, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek Yahweh lack no good thing” (Psalm 34:8-10).

It is in terrifying circumstances when we trust the Lord that we taste the Lord’s goodness.

4. Keep a Clear Conscience: Psalm 34:12-16

At first glance, David appears to take a major detour. Why talk about sin and evil, goodness and righteousness, in the midst of fear and trembling (Psalm 34:12-16)? Because when our conscience is not clear, when we’re sinning against God, we can’t expect to experience the peace of God nor the God of peace.

5. Offer God Your Broken Heart and Crushed Spirit: Psalm 34:17-18

The very character of God compels Him to come to the aid of the needy.

“The righteous cry out, and Yahweh hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. Yahweh is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:17-18).

When the fears of life drive us to the point of insanity, the only sane thing to do is to offer God our broken heart and crushed spirit.

6. Testify to Others: Psalm 34:19-22

David ends where he began—with praise of God.

“Yahweh redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him” (Psalm 34:22).

God frees us from fear so we can be His instruments to free others from fear so that together we can praise God. It’s all about Him!

Keeping It Real

What brings you to the point of near insane fear, worry, stress, panic, anxiety, or phobia? In those circumstances, what would it be like for you to sooth your soul in your Savior as David did?

The Rest of the Story

In our next post, we’ll share some primary passages and central biblical characters helpful in conquering fear.

Join the Conversation

When the world terrifies us, why do we turn to the world for answers to our fear, rather than fearing God?