Becky Harling - Psalms for the Anxious Heart: A 30-Day Devotional for Uncertain Times

Uncertain times often come our way. In Psalms for the Anxious Heart, Becky Harling shares the lessons shes learned through difficult days, as well as encouragement backed by Scripture. As shes discovered, when we take our anxious hearts to Jesus, we find an unexplainable peace and joy that will carry us through even the darkest moments.

MICHELLE COX

Bestselling author of Just 18 Summers and the When God Calls the Heart series

Every generation in history has faced insurmountable challengeswars, economic instability, persecution, political unrest, devastation due to ferocious weather, and personal challenges. Each gives us a reason to wrestle with anxiety. There is no better place to go than to the Psalms for peace in the midst of every storm in life, and there is no wiser person to lead us into the refuge of His presence than Becky Harling. I dont know what you are dealing with today, but I can assure you that you will find Him in the Psalms and in the writings of my dear friend Becky.

CAROL MCLEOD

Bible teacher and bestselling author of Significant, StormProof, and other titles

Some books are for information and others are for inspiration. Psalms for the Anxious Heart merges both of those into something deeper: an invitation. Becky Harling, speaking from her lifelong immersion in the Psalms, as well as an authentic engagement with her own story, issues a timely and compelling invitation to all of us living in the shadow of a global pandemic. Delving into the psalmists recurring choices of praise over panic, she encourages us to reset the rhythm of our days in light of Gods sovereignty and strength. With anxiety on everyones doorstep, we are all in need of soul salve, and these practical, poignant pages deliver!

MATT HEARD

Founder of THRIVE; author of Life with a Capital L: Embracing Your God-Given Humanity; and teaching pastor at Northland Church

Psalms for the Anxious Heart is tenderly and truthfully written to provide its readers with grace to feel understood in their moments of anxiety rather than feel judged. Becky Harling beautifully unpacks the poetry of the Psalms and brings powerful application as she shares vulnerable moments from her own life. There are no clich answers or quick-fix suggestions offered; rather, Becky shares from a deep well of trusting the Lord through some of lifes more difficult challenges. This devotional is beautifully inspiring and offers an anchor of hope through troubling times.

STEPHANIE HENDERSON

Executive Pastor, Womens Ministry and Guest Services, New Life Church

As I opened Psalms for the Anxious Heart, I wondered, Can there be rich spiritual depth in such small daily portions? The answer is a resounding YES! You will find hope in times of hopelessness, learn to lament in Day 5, and love the four daily sections to go deeper: Selah, Todays Truth, Listen, and Pray. Expect to find your soul enlarged. Mine was!

LINDA DILLOW

Bestselling author of Calm My Anxious Heart and Satisfy My Thirsty Soul

2020 by BECKY HARLING

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked PHILLIPS are taken from The New Testament in Modern English by J.B Phillips, copyright 1960, 1972 J. B. Phillips. Administered by The Archbishops Council of the Church of England. Used by Permission.

All emphasis in Scripture has been added.

Published in association with the literary agency of The Blythe Daniel Agency, Inc., P.O. Box 64197, Colorado Springs, CO 80962-4197.

Edited by Amanda Cleary Eastep

Interior and cover design: Erik M. Peterson

Cover illustration of oil painting copyright 2019 by SantaLiza / Shutterstock (1148931977). All rights reserved.

All websites and phone numbers listed herein are accurate at the time of publication but may change in the future or cease to exist. The listing of website references and resources does not imply publisher endorsement of the sites entire contents. Groups and organizations are listed for informational purposes, and listing does not imply publisher endorsement of their activities.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020939041

ISBN: 978-0-8024-2338-2
eBook ISBN: 978-0-8024-9965-3

Originally delivered by fleets of horse-drawn wagons, the affordable paperbacks from D. L. Moodys publishing house resourced the church and served everyday people. Now, after more than 125 years of publishing and ministry, Moody Publishers mission remains the sameeven if our delivery systems have changed a bit. For more information on other books (and resources) created from a biblical perspective, go to: www.moodypublishers.com or write to:

Moody Publishers
820 N. LaSalle Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60610

This book is lovingly dedicated to my precious and beautiful daughter, Keri Joy Denison. Keri, from the time you were tiny, youve been singing praises to God. I remember tucking you in bed at night when you were just a toddler. As I went down the hall, I could hear you singing, Lord, you are more precious than silver. Youre an extraordinary worship leader who leads others passionately into the presence of God. You have truly learned how to turn your panic into praise. Your worship life inspires me! I am so very proud of you and love you so dearly.

A s I write this, the two most popular words on the evening news are unprecedented and uncertain. The COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic has basically ravaged the globe. As the virus has spread worldwide, hundreds of thousands of people have died, and the global economy is teetering on the brink of disaster. Lovely, hey? This pandemic will be recorded in future history books, and it will leave an indelible imprint on all of our lives. Mental health issues such as anxiety and depression are on the rise more than ever. And many are predicting that vast numbers of people will deal with PTSD after its all over.

I am no stranger to anxiety. I feel like Ive battled worry and fear since childhood. Thats why Ive written this book. I wanted to give you a resourcea battle planthat you could use as you fight worry, fear, and discouragement.

Since my college years, Ive read the Psalms every day as a part of my early morning times with Jesus. I have found comfort and friendship for my soul in the words of the psalmists. They, like me, wrestled with worry, fear, doubt, and discouragement. Yet, after they poured out their hearts to the Lord, they proceeded to praise Him. As they praised God, their souls were transformed. Oh, these Psalms have become precious to me!