NearnessNäide

I really enjoy personality tests. Myer-Briggs, DISC, Enneagram, The Big Five—I’ve done them all. I know that for most of these tests, their validity and reliability is questionable, but I am fascinated by anything that helps me understand who I am and how I am wired.

The best part of taking a personality test is when you get the results and there is a glowing paragraph describing your best qualities, skills, and all the things you are wonderfully adept at. What is less enjoyable is the paragraph that outlines potential vulnerabilities and weaknesses. But this uncomfortable paragraph is important. If we want a full picture of who we are, then we need to look at what we do when faced with stress and challenges. Who are we under pressure?

My hope is that I would be the type of person who, in the midst of hard things, could be described as a ‘non-anxious presence’. Not emotionally unmoved, but deeply secure and unflappable. How do we get there?

Psalm 4 provides a picture of what it is to face very real challenges and distress and not be anxious. It’s likely that the psalmist’s honour or reputation has been damaged or they have been falsely accused of something—yet they remain decidedly untroubled and able to sleep in peace.

How is this possible? The key to such security is not the psalmist’s personality but the psalmist’s LORD. Peace in the face of trouble is found in turning to God and trusting in God alone. Notice that in their time of need, the psalmist unashamedly cries out to God for help. They ask for what they want and need. And then they choose to trust in God as their source of goodness and joy.

Today, ponder this: what do you normally do in times of stress or need? Where do you turn for a sense of security when things are hard? What would it look like for you to turn to God in these moments and tell Him what you need? What would it look like to put your trust in Him and Him alone?

As Christians, the beautiful reality is that we belong to God. He sees, He knows, He cares about our struggles, and He is at work in our lives.