Psalm 131
Lord, my heart is not proud;
    my eyes are not haughty.
I don’t concern myself with matters too great
    or too awesome for me to grasp.

2 Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself,
    like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk.
    Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me.
3 O Israel, put your hope in the Lord—
    now and always.

1 Samuel 18:6 When the victorious Israelite army was returning home after David had killed the Philistine, women from all the towns of Israel came out to meet King Saul. They sang and danced for joy with tambourines and cymbals.

Today, I thought we could emphasize Psalm 131. This Psalm is a song that is speaking to God, and the author is trying to explain to God that his heart is in the right place. He is not trying to be too arrogant about what is happening around him. He wants to redirect people into understanding that God is always in charge and that there is hope for Israel if they just trust in what God is doing, now and always.

The Psalms speak to the human condition. They speak of pain, anger, and frustration but also of joy, hope, and the peace that comes from trusting in God.

What do you do when you need to let out those emotions when it comes to your relationship with God? Do you write music? Do you crochet? Do you write poetry or do art? How do you express yourself in these situations?

It is important to do something. I sometimes go for a jog, workout, or write a note in my notes application on my phone. All of these things are what we can do to help us get out what we are feeling inside. I do much of this, along with constant prayer and conversation with God. Sometimes, the physical act of exercise allows me to clear my head and speak with clarity to God about what is going on in my life. And sometimes, I even let God have it a little.

I realized a long time ago that God is not afraid of my questions, my questioning, and my anger. He has seen it all a billion times, and so he is willing to listen. I never want to be abusive of my relationship with Him, but I do need to get out my feelings at times. I don’t think God is too worried about this. If you have read the Psalms, then you know that David was doing the same thing a great deal of the time. The Psalms are not all about feeling good in your relationship with God, they are even about being angry, frustrated and not understanding what God is doing from time to time. It is fair to say that David was not afraid to tell God the truth about how he was feeling, and neither should you!

1. Have you ever yelled at God? Do you think it upset Him? 
2. How can you get out your emotions in ways that are helpful to you and your relationship with God?
3. Do you have a favorite Psalm that you like to quote or go to when you need some help and support?