Whenever I am troubled either by what is going on in the world without or the discontent within myself that bubbles up, I take everything to God in prayer and show Him. I ask for His help because sometimes it’s too big for me. Who can understand the awful things we hear on the news? Who can understand their own hearts that become disgruntled? When our kids were young we used to tell them, “Don’t be ugly!” We weren’t admonishing them not to look less than the beautiful they were but rather stop hurting your siblings or saying mean things….stop doing what is wrong, what is ugly.

When I feel “ugly” within I take it to God. His word soothes my ragged soul and reminds me of His love for me and for every one of us. I trust His love to solve every problem within and without.

The 23rd Psalm gives such comfort so many times when I am in distress from without or from within. The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He is there to supply me with peace, with hope, with trust in Him; the world may be bigger than me but He is bigger than the world. He leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. When I take my worries to Him he refreshes me with calm reassurance of His Presence. Have you ever listened to the quiet, peaceful sound of water in a stream or lake? He guides me along the right paths. He tells me to trust Him and His love for me and for others. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me. Remember the Lord is my Shepherd…to protect their flock the shepherds had a rod and a staff to protect from predators and to lead to safe places. That’s what God does for us. He protects us from predators and leads us to safe places. My worries and “ugliness” of soul are predators that need my Shepherd to lead me to Him, my safe place…to remind me He loves me and will help me as I leave my worries with Him; worries from without and from within. He restores peace and hope. My cup overflows…Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

His goodness and love are written throughout the Bible and are reminders for us that He is faithful and true. He is my Shepherd and I trust His love for you and for me. Turn to Him when you are troubled in soul either from the worries of this world or from within with doubts, fears, troubles of heart and mind. He is there and His goodness and love will follow you all the days of your life.