“When anxiety was great within me,  your consolation brought me joy.” (Psalm 94:19)

A dear friend often uses a darling coffee mug emblazoned with a phrase, “Donut Worry, Be Happy.” The pun makes me smile, but the sentiment makes my heart drop a little in my chest. There have been so many days that I’ve tried so hard to not worry and just be happy instead. To ignore the laundry list of fears within me and slap on a smile and a cheerful “everything’s fine” attitude. And then I’ve felt so much shame when the anxiety creeps back in and seeps through the facade of “fine.”

Anxiety takes many different shapes, though it always keeps its paralyzing nature. Some days, anxiety is waking up in the middle of the night with racing thoughts. Anxiety is unshakable fear that builds and builds and builds, even when your mind knows it’s irrational. Anxiety is an individualized pair of sunglasses that makes the world look completely different to you than to anyone else. But don’t worry, be happy, right?

But when you feel like you are deep in a black hole of fears and worry and catchy coffee cup advice doesn’t seem to offer any help, don’t give up home, friend. There is a deep, settling comfort that does not depend on our ability to put on a smile and whistle a merry tune. Instead, we have a Savior that meets us in our deepest darkness and brings us joy.

As we see in Scripture, David wasn’t immune to seasons of life when the burdens he carried were overwhelming. But when he felt crushed by the weight of worry, he turned to the Lord and found that his Heavenly Father met him exactly where he was. In Psalm 94:19, he reflects, “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.”

David didn’t carry shame for being anxious, for failing to slap on a smile and soldier through. Instead, he found that God’s consolation brought him joy in the midst of his present circumstances. He didn’t manufacture happiness; he was brought joy. And that same good, good Father meets us when our anxiety is great. Take heart, take joy, in the consolations He graciously gives us in Scripture:

1. We are not alone (Deuteronomy 31:6)
2. He is in control, even when we don’t see how He is working (Romans 8:28).
3. We do not have to be perfect; His grace shines through us when our strength falls short (2 Corinthians 12:9)

We can face each day knowing that even when anxiety is great, we are comforted. And His comfort results in joy that may not change the circumstances but faithfully changes us through the circumstances.

Hey Father, thank you for meeting us in our darkest days and illuminating the anxiety-filled spaces with your truth. Thank you for giving us promises that can bring us joy, even when our circumstances seem too much for us to bear. Give us the strength to rejoice in each day with a sweet, settling confidence in Your ability to work good, even when we don’t know the details. You are greater than any anxiety we face. Amen.

-- Bekah Landfair