Intersection

I always find it interesting when my daily Bible reading intersects with something in the secular world. Such was the case today.

Psalm 13 begins with lament and ends with rejoicing. Verse 2 says this: “How long must I suffer anguish in my soul, grief in my heart, day and night?”

In 1991, as a newly divorced mother of two children, that verse described my daily inner experience. I was overwhelmed with the responsibility of raising my kids alone, emotionally burdened with unresolved trauma, and unknowingly deeply depressed. This was all despite recently coming back to faith in Jesus Christ. I continued in that state, ever leaning on Jesus but still depressed, for years.

But in the past decade or so, my inner reality has profoundly changed from despair to hope. Yes, I still deal with depression of a milder sort. Lack of motivation to do things and fatigue seem to go hand in hand with depression and with chronic illness. However, verses 5-6 are now true in my life: “But for my part I trust in thy true love. My heart shall rejoice, for thou hast set me free. I will sing to the LORD, who has granted all my desire.”

I don’t know how to explain that change, except to say that over the years I kept seeking, and God kept leading me into more healing. Not to say I’ve reached complete healing: I have not. (And who has, this side of heaven?) But through his generous grace, he has brought peace and joy into my life.

Later this morning, a magazine article I almost scrolled past on my phone turned out to be an intersection of Psalm 13 with the secular world. This statement stood out to me:

. . . being reliably held by someone else makes it possible to relax into oneself. It creates enough internal safety to play, to improvise, to stay present without constant supervision. Over time, that experience of being accompanied continues inwardly, becoming a way of being with oneself. *

Let me explain. According to the article, “being held” means having others in your life who are dependable and supportive. It means not feeling like you are the only one who is holding things together, not being hypervigilant. It allows you to relax, to be fully in the present moment, and to be friends, so to speak, with solitude.

Here’s the thing. It’s not only people that can hold us. God does. Both are important.

I am blessed to have people in my life who are holding me during this cancer journey. My son who lives with me. My daughter, son-in-law, and their children. My church family. My blog readers. Excellent doctors and nurses. Hopestone Cancer Support Center supplying home-cooked meals. Elder Care housekeeping. Friends. People, known and unknown, who pray for me. I appreciate them. They make my life richer and easier.

But without God holding me as well, I would not have inner peace and joy regardless of my circumstances. I am grateful beyond words.

*Donald Winnicott, quoted by Elizabeth Burns Dyer in psyche: know your self, “The capacity to be alone depends on the sense of being held.” 27 March 2026.