Calming Your Heart with Scripture

Finding Peace and Perspective in God’s Word

Let me tell you a little story …

I’m one of those people who gets weirdly nervous at the doctor’s office—like elevated blood pressure and high heart rate kind of nervous. My vitals came back a little higher than they should be one time, and now, every time I have them checked, I find myself getting worried they’ll be elevated again. 

It’s a crazy cycle. 

One time, I was determined to have a different experience. So I went into my doctor’s appointment armed with a trusty tool: Scripture. As the nurse slipped on the blood pressure cup, I began repeating my memory verse at the time, Isaiah 54:10, to myself in my mind. Lo and behold, my blood pressure was normal! 

While that’s a slightly silly story, there’s truth in the fact that Scripture is a tool God often uses to calm our hearts and soothe our souls. So, what does that mean for us as believers? 

Scripture reminds us of God’s presence

Recalling God’s promises and provisions is a powerful way to remember who God is, what he has done and what he has promised to do. In difficult seasonings, resting in the faithfulness of God’s unchanging character and reflecting on his promises—that he is close to the brokenhearted, he never leaves us and he is faithful to forgive our sins—can reorient our focus and remind us what is most important and true. 

Scripture gives us language for lament and sorrow. 

Ever felt like the psalmist in Psalm 13, crying out, “How long, O Lord?” In difficult seasons, it can be hard to trust that God is close to the brokenhearted (Ps. 34:18) or that there is purpose in your pain. Scripture, including so many of the psalms, give voice to our despair and doubt—but also often lead us to the hope we have in God. When we are afraid, grieving or feel alone or overwhelmed, God’s Word can help us give voice to those emotions and turn them over to God. 

Scripture lifts our eyes from our circumstances. 

In the middle of a difficult season, it can be hard to see any further than the next moment. Sometimes, it’s so easy to focus on our circumstances than to lift our eyes to God—but Scripture helps us do just that. Scripture is a continual testimony of God’s faithfulness, helping us to grow in our understanding of his character and to trust him even when it feels like life is falling apart at the seams. 

Scripture affirms that God is in control. 

When life feels like chaos, it’s hard to believe God is sovereign and in control of our world and our lives. But Scripture reminds us that the God we serve spoke the earth into being from the chaos. He is the same God who calmed the storm. He is above all, through all and in all. We can doubt and fear, but Scripture repeatedly reminds us that God is sovereign and there is purpose and value to his plans, even when they feel like chaos to us. 

So the next time your heart races, take a deep breath and reach for God’s Word. His promises, his truths, his character and his faithfulness shown throughout Scripture are your reminder that you are never alone. He is your anchor in the storm. Wherever you are, whatever you’re facing, God’s Word is ready to meet you. Rest in the presence of the One who holds all things together—including you.