Lessons for Life with James Long, Jr.

Finding Peace in Panic: How Psalm 3 Calms the Anxious Soul (Psalm 3)

• James Long

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Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or abandoned?
Psalm 3 was written for moments like this.

David wrote it while fleeing from his own son—betrayed, afraid, and surrounded by enemies. And yet, in the middle of the chaos, he found peace. Not because his problems disappeared, but because his God was near.

💬 “You, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.” (Psalm 3:3)

In this episode of Counseling Through the Psalms, we walk through Psalm 3 and discover how to move from panic to peace, from shame to security, and from crisis to confidence in the Lord.

🎧 Listen now on the Lessons for Life Podcast:

📖 Let the Psalms counsel your soul.
Because peace is not the absence of problems—it’s the presence of God.

#Psalm3 #CounselingThroughThePsalms #LessonsForLifePodcast #ChristianCounseling #FaithOverFear #BiblicalHope #EmotionalHealth #GodIsMyShield

ABOUT JAMES AND LESSONS FOR LIFE

Are you longing to find answers to the deeper issues of life? Join Dr. James Long, Jr., a pastor, counselor, and university professor with over 30 years of experience. Hear James as he tackles some of life’s biggest questions and helps us find God’s solutions to life’s struggles. Learn the power of living by God’s grace and for His glory. Experience the joy of forgiveness and freedom found in Jesus Christ alone. If you are in search of freedom, you will love being part of this conversation. Subscribe, and enjoy the show!

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Speaker 1:

Welcome to Counseling Through the Psalms with James Long Jr, a special series from Lessons for Life. I'm James, and in each episode we will journey into the rich, honest and healing language of the Psalms to find hope and clarity and comfort for life's deepest struggles. Whether you're wrestling with anxiety, grief, anger or spiritual dryness, the Psalms offer us a path towards restoration and peace through God's Word. So, wherever you are right now, take a deep breath and let's enter into the heart of Scripture together. Well, hello everyone. Welcome back. Let's jump into Psalm 3. Do me a favor grab your Bible I'll be using the ESV version of the scriptures and also grab a journal and a pen or a pencil so that you can jot some notes down.

Speaker 1:

We're going to turn to Psalm 3 this morning, and Psalm 3 shows us how to move from panic to peace when surrounded by trouble. Written from a place of deep betrayal and fear, this psalm teaches how to cry out to God, how to cling to his promises and how to rest securely even when life seems like it's falling apart, when troubles multiply and hope feels distant. Psalm 3 begins with a cry that many of our hearts note all too well. It says this in verse 1, o Lord, how many are my foes? Many are rising up against me. David is not speaking metaphorically. He is fleeing for his life, betrayed by his own son, absalom. You could read about that in 2 Samuel, chapters 15 through 18. His kingdom is crumbling, his friends have deserted him and the enemies are closing in. Yet it's not just the threat of physical harm that weighs on him, it's the whisper of hopelessness. He says this in verse 2,. Many are saying of my soul. There is no salvation for him in God. These words strike at the deepest level. It's one thing to face hardship. It's another thing to feel abandoned by God. In it, psalm 3 is a prayer of a man who's drowning in betrayal by God. In it, psalm 3 is a prayer of a man who's drowning in betrayal, shame and fear, yet refusing to let go of God. For those of us that are walking through anxiety or trauma or relational wounds, this psalm offers a model for honest prayer and resilient faith In counseling. We often meet people in their Psalm 3 moment, the moment where their enemies are real and the threat is near and shameless loud.

Speaker 1:

David does not hide his panic. He actually brings it to the Lord. He brings it to God, the shield that surrounds us in our struggle. David's situation does not change between verses 2 and 3, but his focus does. In verse 3, the psalm pivots. He says this but you, o Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.

Speaker 1:

Here David shifts from rehearsing his fears to remembering his God. He does not deny his pain. He defies the lie that God has abandoned him. He reaches for three truths about who God is. In the middle of the storm, he says first, a shield about me. God is not just a shield in front of us, he surrounds us. He protects us and his protection is comprehensive. Even when we feel like we cannot see him, he is defending us and we can trust that he is. He not only says a shield about me, but he says my glory. In a moment when David has lost the glory of his crown, he confesses that God is his truest honor. When shame tells us that we're finished, god reminds us that our value is not in position or perfection, but in his presence. And not only is he a shield about me, my glory, but he's the lifter of my head. God stoops in to lift us up. When we hang our heads in fear or disgrace. He gently restores dignity and hope. Now, this is the kind of truth-telling that is not theoretical, it's fiercely practical. In times of emotional collapse, we need a voice louder than the shame. We need a reminder of who God is, not just who we are.

Speaker 1:

Psalm 3 doesn't merely describe God as a concept. It names Him as a counselor, a protector and a restorer, from crying out to resting secure. In verse 4, david says this I cried out loud to the Lord and he answered me from his holy hill. David's bold declaration of trust is not based on an outcome, but it's based on a relationship. He remembers the hill where God's presence dwells, even while he's far from the physical temple. This is faith in action praying when everything feels broken, believing that God still hears and still sees and still answers.

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Then comes one of the most remarkable verses in the psalm. He says in verse 5, I laid down and slept. I woke again, for the Lord sustained me. Now, for many people facing anxiety or depression, sleep has become elusive. Now David is surrounded by his enemies. Yet he slept. Why? Because his safety no longer depended upon his strength, but upon God's sovereignty. This is not escapism, it's trust. He goes to bed knowing that God is awake.

Speaker 1:

In Psalm 121, verse 4, it says this he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The pressure to fix everything fades when we remember who holds everything. David awakes with renewed courage. He says in verse 6, I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. The threats have not disappeared, but his fear has diminished. What changed? His heart has returned to the reality of God's presence, the Prayer for Deliverance and the Power to Keep Going. It says in verse 7, arise, o Lord, save me, o my God.

Speaker 1:

David cries, echo the language of the Exodus, the God who saves his people from the enemies and carries them through the wilderness. He's not demanding comfort, he's asking for rescue. This is a raw intensity in David's imagery. For you strike all my enemies on the cheek, you break the teeth of the wicked. This is not personal revenge, it's confidence in God's justice. In the ancient world, striking on the cheek or breaking the teeth symbolized public humiliation and disarmament. David is declaring that God will ultimately silence the lies and dismantle the threats.

Speaker 1:

But verse 8 is the heartbeat of the psalm. It says this Salvation belongs to the Lord. Your blessing be on your people. David's deliverance is not isolated. It's part of God's big redemptive plan. He prays not only for personal rescue but for corporate blessing. Even in crisis he remembers community. In counseling terms, the psalm moves from crisis to calling, from despair to intercession.

Speaker 1:

Now let's look at the doctoral insights that we learn from this psalm. Sovereign protection is the first one. God is a shield, sovereignly and compassionately surrounding his people Psalm 3.3. Then we see God's imminence. He hears, he answers, he sustains his children personally. We saw that in verses 4 and 5. Then we see a just judgment. God acts against the evil and will vindicate his people Verse 7. And then we see salvation by grace alone. Deliverance does not come from our strength but from the Lord alone Verse 8. Let's look at practical theology. Let's see if we can make this practical.

Speaker 1:

Psalm 3 speaks into the most intimate struggles of the soul. For those who feel abandoned, it assures God hears. For those who are anxious, it offers peace rooted not in the changed circumstances but in the unchanging character of God. For those who are battling shame, it reminds you that your worth is not in your own success but in your Savior. For those who are fearful, it models both prayer and courageous rest. And for the counselor. It offers a road map. It helps your counseling move from panic to proclamation by anchoring in god's promises.

Speaker 1:

Now this psalm also reshapes how the church should respond to suffering. We do not need to have polished prayers, but we need honest ones. Psalm 3 reminds us of true spirituality and that it's not the absence of distress, but it's a presence of trust in the midst of it. Now let's reflect and respond. Here's six questions I want you to consider.

Speaker 1:

Remember, grab your journal and consider answering these questions. Number one what many foes or inner fears are you facing today and how can you bring them honestly before the Lord? Number two in what ways has shame or fear distorted your view of God's presence? Number three what does it mean to you that God is a shield about you, not just in front of you, but surrounding you? 4. How can you practice resting in God even when the outcome seems uncertain? 5. Who do you know that needs help remembering the truths of Psalm 3, and how can you encourage them this week?

Speaker 1:

6.

Speaker 1:

Have you asked the Lord to lift your head, and what would it look like to let him restore your hope and honor?

Speaker 1:

Well, let's pray, father, when fears multiply around me and hope feels far. Please be my shield. I know you already are and when shame whispers lies, remind me that you are my glory. Lift my head when I hang it low, lord, and help me cry out, not collapse to sleep, not to strive to believe. Even when I don't see the answer yet, I take refuge in you, my Redeemer and my sustainer. Thank you for the fact that you surround me, even in the chaos, in your son shield, and we're here to walk with you as well. Join our free navigator level of Lessons for Life community at communityjameslongjrorg for devotionals, meetups and training to help you walk by faith, or explore one of our full memberships at jameslongjrorg slash. Sign up now for deeper coaching and content designed to help you grow in emotional, relational and spiritual wisdom. Your peace does not depend on your power but on God's presence, and he's with you right now if you trust Him. Blessings everyone.

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James Long, Jr.

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