Where do you turn when you're feeling sad? What about when you're happy or want to praise God? We'll all have different tools that we resort to using depending on our mood, but one thing that we should all seek out no matter how we're feeling is God's word. Even if we don't physically turn through the pages of the Bible or scroll through a Bible app each time we're emotional, certain verses or phrases stored up in our heads and in our hearts can come to our aid.
Whether you're jumping for joy because of the blessings God has bestowed upon you, or you're scared about the future, you'll find words that are worthy to praise and petition Him in the book of Psalms.
From joyful to angry, here are five different Psalms to suit five different moods.
For when you're overcome with joy
God continues to do so much for us. Regardless of whether you've had a steady awareness of what it means to be loved by Him or a sudden realisation that without Him you'd be hopeless, this psalm can help you express your joy.
Psalm 5:11 - But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
For when you want to worship God
Whether God's just done something spectacular in your life and you want to give Him spectacular praise in return or you're not in them mood for worship at all, you can't go wrong reciting the following psalm.
Psalm 103:1-5 - Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
For when you're scared
When we trust in God we no longer need to be afraid of what might or might not happen. If you're wrestling with fear, why not mediate on this verse, use the words to structure your conversation with God and let them reassure you.
Psalm 56:3-4 - When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
For when you're anxious
Sometimes God makes us wait and it can be a real test of our faith. How much time are we prepared to give Him before He intervenes in our lives as we hope He would? If you're going through a waiting period right now, this psalm is a wise source of direction.
Psalm 37:7 - Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
For when you're angry
Even if we have a pretty good hold on our anger, there's usually something that triggers our rage. Often it's the actions of other people who hurt us, whether knowingly or unwittingly. Whatever the reason, you don't need to give in to anger, you can call on God to rescue you.
Psalm 140:1-3 - Rescue me, Lord, from evildoers; protect me from the violent, who devise evil plans in their hearts and stir up war every day. They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent's; the poison of vipers is on their lips.
