Psalm 138:7-8

New International Version (NIV): Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me. The LORD will vindicate me; your love, LORD, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands.

Directions:  Choose a translation of the Bible that you easily understand, but that has depth of meaning.  I recommend that you keep a special journal just for praying the Psalms.  Try praying the Psalms for yourself before reading my version of these verses.  The point of this method is for the Spirit to speak with your heart and that you will commune with God about how your own experience relates to His word.  I only include my sample to help you understand what I mean in the steps and because it is always good for Christians to share their thoughts about God and experiences with Him.

Step 1:  Choose a verse or two from one of the Psalms and write it out in a notebook. 

Step 2: After reading a thought from the verse, begin writing your own version of that thought.  This is not exactly paraphrasing the Psalmist’s words although you can paraphrase if you wish.  This is taking the thought and applying it to your own life and changing the words to fit your own experience.  Continue writing about your experience with God until you no longer have anything more to say.

Step 3:  Go to the next thought in the verse and repeat Step 2. 

Step 4:  Continue this process until you feel satisfied that you are finished or until the verse’s thoughts are finished.

My version (verses 7-8): 

I am really feeling trouble all around and see more trouble in the future. Anxiety about what is happening and what will happen overwhelms me, but then there You are as a shining beacon to guide me through the fog of uncertainty. I keep looking away, but Your beautiful colors keep drawing my eyes back to You, and Your guidance keeps me on the safe trails through the quick sands that surround me. All around me are angry people shouting their judgment and condemnation at the world. It beats me down and fills my heart with discouragement. You reach down and open my eyes to the truth of Your calming presence in my life. Your presence forms a barrier between me and the anger beating and battering my psyche. You interpose Yourself between the looming threats and me. You reach inside me and pull me up out of the sucking mud of depression and despair when I see no light in other humans. You are the only light I see in the gloom of society’s derangements. Others have no light in their lives to lighten my sight. Only You care enough and have the thoughtfulness and airiness of personality to lighten my burdens. In You, I find hope. You will bring me to peace and joy and show the other depressing believers out there that I am right to trust in Your hope instead of fighting about the meanness and negativity and lying causes that surround me. You will open others’ hearts to hope instead of fear and anger and stress. You created us. Recreate us to live in the joy of Your presence. Show me Your joyfulness!