Finding Peace Through Psalm 23: A Lesson I Learned From My 10-Year-Old

Over the past week or so my ten year old has started into the moody pre-teen phase for girls. She is dealing with figuring out friends and self and all those fun things that those of us who have gone through wouldn’t go back and do for a million dollars. It is a hard phase and it is hard to help her navigate it as well. But, she is so amazing. She is wise beyond her years! Why do I say that? Because this young lady has figured out that God’s word can help navigate us through hard times. 

Our church is focusing on reading the Bible and being in the word this year, which is good for anyone! As we were standing around talking about the importance of being in the word, my daughter piped in and mentioned that she loves reading the Psalms when she is feeling some kinda way. Specifically, she reads Psalm 23. Most of us are familiar with this Psalm, but I feel like we might be overlooking its beauty. 

Psalm 23 (NIV)

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

He leads me beside quiet waters, 

He refreshes my soul. 

He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,

I will fear no evil,

For you are with me;

Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil;

My cup overflows.

Surely your goodness and love will follow me

All the days of my life, 

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 

Straight away, this is a powerful reminder that God loves and cares for us. We lack nothing. It goes on to describe a peaceful scene with green pastures and quiet waters that is refreshing. When was the last time you were outside and just sat with God in his creation and allowed it to be a balm to your soul? Not to go off on a tangent, but we are surrounded by electronics and people, concrete and noise. We NEED that quiet time in nature. It is healing and God made it that way! 

I asked my ten year old what it was that she liked about this Psalm. She replied “It helps me find peace when I am scared and alone because it reminds me God is with me and guiding me. When I get lost it reminds me that He is guiding me back to where I need to be.”

Wow. We can learn a lot from this young christian lady. When we are alone and scared God is there. He is guiding us like a shepherd and sheep. With love and patience he takes us where we are and guides us back to where we need to be. 

I don’t have the answers sometimes to help her navigate feelings and friends, despite my best efforts. I get it wrong sometimes, but God never does. The example she is setting for me about going to scripture for help and peace is amazing. 

Where do you go when it gets scary or stressful in your life? Do you turn to His word or do you turn somewhere else? How is that working for you? What other scriptures bring you comfort when you are feeling confused, scared, or lost? 

I hope that, like me, you will take this example of turning toward God and make it part of your life. It really works. One example for me was when I was suffering from an anxiety attack at work. I had to go pick up my rowdy class from their resource class and every part of me wanted to turn and run away. I started quoting Psalm 23 to myself as I walked toward where my class was in the library. As I got further into the Psalm and closer to my destination I physically felt that anxiety start melting away and shedding itself off my shoulders. I quickly said thank you to God for the relief and was able to make it through the day. It really was amazing to see and experience God’s comfort in that moment when I needed him because I had hidden that Psalm in my heart. It was ready for me when I needed it. 

I hope that you have scriptures like that at the ready for when you need them too. If you don’t already have Scripture hidden in your heart for hard moments, I’d encourage you to start with finding peace in Psalm 23.

Lord, Father, Comforter, thank you for the Word and all it does for us. Help us continue to write it on our hearts and use it for when this world seems to be too much. You are our comfort and our shepherd and we thank you for that. Please continue to be with us no matter what we walk through. We love you. Amen.