Psalm 23: Peace Amidst Stress and Anxiety
By Joseph P.
Shepherd Jesus, Man Guarding His Sheep by Neirfy Created in Canva
Starting a new school year is challenging for many students. There are new friendships to form, new teachers to meet, and new courses to adjust to. This often leads to anxiety and stress about what the future holds. Both new and existing students face these challenges, but God has an answer to these seemingly insurmountable stressors.
The Flock
Psalm 23 describes us as sheep, and David says God is our Shepherd. As Weldon Keller outlines in A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, this image is far more profound and rich in meaning than it first appears. A member of the flock may wander away and get itself helplessly entangled in trouble, but the shepherd is there to protect it from harm, leaving the ninety-nine to pursue the one (Keller 73). When we become entangled in the storms of life and our anxiety, we can remember Jesus’ words in John 16:33: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (Bible Gateway).
No matter how strong the storm may be, we can rely on the Shepherd to carry us through safely to the other side. It is easy to get lost in the storms of life, to forget or become so worried that we become spiritually incapacitated, rendering us unable to focus on Jesus. In Luke 12:25-26, He says: “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?” (Bible Gateway).
The Shepherd
The shepherd cares for his sheep; no detail is too small in the process of ensuring their welfare. As Keller notes, “A commonly held but serious misconception about sheep is that they can just ‘get along anywhere.’ The truth is quite the reverse. No other class of livestock requires more careful handling, more detailed direction, than do sheep” (Keller 84). No worry or fear is too small or large for God to handle. We can come to Him for any need we may have, and even when it seems he has deserted us, Joshua 1:9 says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Bible Gateway).
It may be difficult at times, but through prayer, reading the Word, and relying on God in times of need, we draw closer to Him as He strengthens our faith and relationship with Him.
Support at NSA
If students ever need support or prayer, either for academic or personal reasons, they have many points of potential contact. High school students can join the Bible club if they need support. Students of any grade level can also contact their teachers for prayer requests or reach out to staff members, such as Mr. Heaton, the Director of Student Development, for safety concerns.
Columns: 🔎Informational, ✝️Spiritual Life
Joseph P. lives in Phoenix, USA, with his parents and an older sibling. This is his second year writing at the Navigator, but his fourth year at NorthStar. In his free time, he enjoys watching the birds in his backyard, playing video games, and reading books. In the future, he aspires to become a computer hardware engineer.