The Strength of My Heart

I’ve always heard it said to me that life gets more complicated as you grow older. I always rejected that statement. I felt it came from a pessimistic point of view and that there was surely a way to keep life simple even as you approach adulthood. Although I’m still young – a mere 21-year-old who just finished college – I am beginning to understand more and more what these grown-ups meant by complicated.

Something I find myself doing more often as I grow up is plan, stress, worry, and over-analyze. I just graduated college, so now I must think about what’s next. What law schools should I apply to? How should I spend my time in between college and law school? Is school the next option for me? Should I polish my resume and find a job? Should I save more money? Should I travel with my best friends while I’m young? If so, where should I go? Should I call my old friend and make more time for her? Should I spend more time with family? Should I read and write more…?

And these are just the thoughts of a young girl still living at her childhood home for the summer figuring life out. I can’t imagine what goes through the minds of these grown adults with mortgages and bills and families and spouses and full-time careers. Life surely does get more complex the older you get.

And this isn’t a bad thing. It’s part of life. As you grow up, you’re given more responsibilities but also more opportunities to experience all the goodness of God’s plan for your life.

But, as I begin to experience my mind becoming more consumed with the complicated realities of adulthood, I also find my heart weighed down by the things of this world. How easy I become consumed with the superficial! I spend so much time planning and worrying about my family, my internship, my law school applications, my travel plans, my savings account, etc., that I completely forget to make room to hear the voice of God.

Does life really get more complicated? Or do I just forget how to be still and know that He is God?

Does life really get harder as I get older? Or do I just neglect taking time to find true rest in Christ?

This morning I read Psalms 73. It’s a psalm of Asaph, who was a musical leader under King David’s rule. As a musical leader who worked for the King, Asaph was closely acquainted with wealthy leaders, scribes, priests, and rulers of surrounding nations who lived very comfortable lives. He often found himself comparing his life’s complications and struggles to those around him. He struggled frequently with envy and despair.

In this psalm, Asaph writes:

“But as for me, I almost lost my footing.

My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.

For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper…

They seem to live such painless lives;

Their bodies are so healthy and strong.

They don’t have troubles like other people;

They’re not plagued with problems like everyone else…

Then I realized my heart was bitter,

And I was all torn up inside.

I was so foolish and ignorant…

Yet I still belong to you;

You hold my right hand.

You guide me with your counsel,

Leading me to a glorious destiny.

Whom have I in heaven but you?

I desire you more than anything on earth.

My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,

But God remains the strength of my heart;

He is mine forever.”

Psalm 73:2-26

When I read this, I was instantly overwhelmed. It’s so easy to compare my life to others. Everyone else seems to have it all figured out. Everyone but me seems to have the most close-knit friend group. Everyone else seems so confident in what their future holds. Every time I compare myself to others or let the worries of this world consume me, I realize just like Asaph did that my heart is bitter. I bitterly stress over schedules and goals and so easily forget that God still holds me by my right hand, still guides me with His counsel, and still leads me into a glorious destiny. Despite how complicated life may get, the moment I remember that God is what I desire above all else life becomes simple again, because God truly is the strength of my heart.

No difficult circumstance or stressful season in life could out-perform God’s abundant and life-giving presence. Nothing can take God away from me, for He is my portion. And if that fact alone isn’t enough to satisfy all my troubles, I’m not sure what is.

“My health my fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart.”

Let this beautiful psalm serve as a reminder that God remains with us always in every season of our lives. You are never far from God. You are always one deep breath away from recalling His peace, one prayer away from hearing His voice, and one word away from being strengthened by His presence.

No matter how complicated you feel life is right now or whatever rut you might be in, take heart, for God is still your strength. When you find yourself consumed with worry, and when you compare yourself endlessly to others, let the bitterness in your heart be completely pervaded by the sweetness of God.

May you take time this week to be still and notice how present your Heavenly Father is. May you take to heart the truth that God will forever hold you, guide you, and strengthen you. May you trust in His unfailing love, knowing that all the worldly complications we face in life are simplified and settled by the mere mention of His name. May you never take for granted the consistent goodness of God. May God alone be what you desire most. May He always be the strength of your heart.

Grace & Peace,

Anna Takle