
Psalm 38 presents a vivid picture of how suffering affects a person physically, spiritually, emotionally and mentally. Physically, God's hand has sunk deep, greatly burdened, pressed down and bent over. Spiritually, he has no health in his bones and his iniquities weigh too much (Ps. 38:1-5).
Emotionally, he mourned and groaned because of the agitation of his heart. His hopelessness led to a sighing and throbbing heart causing his strength to fail (Ps. 38:6-10).
Mentally, he experienced trauma knowing that his loved ones and friends avoid him. Those who seek his life lay snares, seek to injure and threaten destruction of him (Ps. 38:11-12).
When you suffer physically, spiritually, emotionally and mentally, don't try to figure it out. Instead of reasoning, place your hope in God. You have a choice. You can choose to hold onto the pain and pressure, or release it by going to God in prayer. Here are the advantages of hope in God instead of maintaining your rights:
1. Tell God what you are experiencing and feeling about those who seek to take advantage of you (Ps. 38:15-16)
2. Confession of sin heals spiritually and removes emotional anxiety (Ps. 38:18)
3. As you bring concerns to God, He provides physical & mental deliverance or sense of peace in midst of opposition (Ps. 38:19-22).
If your time of suffering, go through the above three steps:
1. Tell God what you are feeling
2. Confess your sin
3. Intercede to God