Lord, Help My Countenance!

Sometimes all our favorite coping mechanisms fail us.

Sometimes clearing our heads just makes the clutter in our hearts stand out more.

Sometimes it’s not a matter of unbelief or challenging circumstances.

Call it hormones. Label it mood. The fact is, sometimes despite what we believe, we just aren’t “feeling” it.

While there are many ways to help get the truth from our heads to our hearts, I’ve found sometimes hearts are just tired. We get worn out. Weariness settles in.

As with physical collapse, trying to get up on our own when we’re worn down emotionally is ineffective.

But God.

“Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.”

Psalm 42:11 NASB

He is the help of the very thing within us that crashes at times.

In His abundant grace, God who is our Hope also gives us hope. When we’re wearied, our personal, loving God extends a hand to lift our heavy heads (Psalm 3:3.)

Some feelings are just feelings and the God who sets all in motion ensures they too will pass. Yes, we shall yet praise Him.

He’ll help us to do so.

Isn’t that right there already a cause for praise?


This post may be shared on: #MomentsofHope, #DreamTogetherLinkup, #TestimonyTuesday, #RaRaLinkup,  #TeaAndWord, #TellHisStory#Thought-Provoking Thursday, #Heart Ecnouragement, #LiveFreeThursday, #DanceWithJesus#LLMLinkupFaith-Filled FridaySitting Among FriendsFresh Market Friday, and #SoulSurvivalLinkup.

18 Replies to “Lord, Help My Countenance!

  1. Thank you for beautiful and encouraging words. I love the translation you shared that says, “the help of my countenance.” It is so helpful to read other translations, and find just a slightly different word that helps bring a deeper meaning. I’m so blessed to be your neighbor over at #TeaAndWord today!

    1. So true, Bettie! I love using Biblos.com for verse look-up because it lists different translations all at once to compare and see more meaning in.

  2. Great word! My husband, a pastor, often says if we have joy in the Lord, we need to tell our face. 😉 But it’s true, our countenance is affected by what’s going on around us and our mood. Thankful God is our hope…no matter what. He lifts up our heads as we look toward Him. Blessings!

  3. Amen – this is such truth! thanks for sharing – your neighbor over at Lyli’s #FaithOnFire

    PS.. if you are looking for another place to link to on Thursday’s I would love if you would consider joining my new linkup #TuneInThursday – it opens Thursday 3am PST and runs through Sunday night. you can find it at debbiekitterman.com/blog (Please feel free to delete the link if you think it inappropriate).

  4. I read your title and was sure you were going to post about how to fix my face, my countenance, because it has a tendency to tattle tale on my heart problems even when I do manage to keep my errant tongue in check. Mwahaha! Not what I was expecting, but lovely nonetheless. Thank you!

    1. Haha, Kate, my face tends to rebel the same way. I have learned this: hold your breath!! When your face is really betraying something it shouldn’t, holding your breath tends to even it out and give you something to focus on besides what you’re feeling! Works for me anyway, haha!

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