Have you ever woken up on a Monday morning, looked at the week ahead and thought, “Oh. My. Word. I’m in over my head! There’s no way I can accomplish all that’s required of me!” I sure have. In those moments of feeling overwhelmed, your heart pounds, your mind races and your actions become spastic. Yup, I know because I’ve experienced those symptoms too many times.

This morning, I was reading in Psalm 63, one of my favorites written by, David. I read these familiar words, “Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you” (Psalm 63:3). Thinking through the next few weeks I began to pray, “Lord, show me how to glorify you even when I feel like a spaz!” On the heels of that prayer, I began to do a little probing into the word, “glorify” used by, David. Here’s what I found:

‘Glorify’ comes from the Hebrew word, shaback. (Strongs #7523). It carries the idea of praising and adoring but also speaks to pacifying, soothing and quieting. I wonder whether part of the reason that God invites us to praise and glorify Him is because in our adoring of Him, He in turn soothes us like a mother would soothe a crying infant? This is consistent with the promise that God gives us in Isaiah 66:13, “As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you.”

This week, when you feel frantic or frazzled, pause and praise God. As you praise Him imagine Him as a mother soothing your spastic heart. Soak up His soothing presence each day and remind yourself daily, whatever he calls you to do, He empowers you to do!

I’d love to hear from you! What’s your favorite praise song to worship to when you feel frantic or frazzled? I’ll be choosing one answer and giving away a copy of, Freedom From Performing.