Psalm 23:1-4
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
This is a comforting psalm, one that is familiar to many of us. The context of the shepherd imagery is that sheep are sort of dumb and helpless, so the shepherd guides and protects and cares for them. The good news is that even though we are often dumb and helpless, the Good Shepherd takes care of us. One of the roots of my brokenness is a lack of trust. Due to neglect and other things I believed the lie that I could only depend on myself. My addictive behavior is an attempt to regain an illusion of control; the fantasies are safe and controlled, where I am loved and wanted. But that's all an illusion, and in reality I lost even more control as I became ensnared in my addiction. The needed antidote is not to escape into fantasy, but to run to the Good Shepherd. When I am with Him, I am provided for (verse 1), and I find peace and rest (verse 2), even in the midst of difficulties (verse 4).
Thank you Lord for being my Shepherd; may I learn to trust You.
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
This is a comforting psalm, one that is familiar to many of us. The context of the shepherd imagery is that sheep are sort of dumb and helpless, so the shepherd guides and protects and cares for them. The good news is that even though we are often dumb and helpless, the Good Shepherd takes care of us. One of the roots of my brokenness is a lack of trust. Due to neglect and other things I believed the lie that I could only depend on myself. My addictive behavior is an attempt to regain an illusion of control; the fantasies are safe and controlled, where I am loved and wanted. But that's all an illusion, and in reality I lost even more control as I became ensnared in my addiction. The needed antidote is not to escape into fantasy, but to run to the Good Shepherd. When I am with Him, I am provided for (verse 1), and I find peace and rest (verse 2), even in the midst of difficulties (verse 4).
Thank you Lord for being my Shepherd; may I learn to trust You.