Meghan O’Brien, CTHN Intern
“Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” (Psalm 103:2)
Oftentimes those in caring related roles, whether a loved one, counselor, ministry leader, or supportive friend, carry deep burdens on behalf of those they serve and love. You sit with those in their suffering, listening to stories of pain and offering hope in dark places. Over time it is not uncommon to feel worn thin, grow weary, emotionally depleted, and struggle to remember the goodness and mercy of the Lord.
Carrying the weight of others may cause you to lose sight of the many ways the Lord is actively working. This doesn’t mean you have stopped believing or seeing the Lord, but weariness tends to have a way of clouding vision. Psalm 103 offers a gentle and powerful invitation for us to pause and remember the benefits of the Lord.
This Psalm serves as a call to praise and a sweet reminder to pause and remember what is true:
- He forgives our iniquities
- He heals our wounds
- He redeems our lives
- He shows us steadfast love and mercy
- He satisfies us with His goodness
These truths anchor us, both in our personal walk with the Lord and in our work of caring for others.
When I think of Psalm 103 in the context of caring for others, some questions arise as a form of re-centering my heart on the faithfulness of the Lord and remembering the one who carries me as I carry others:
Where has my heart grown dull or distracted?
When I begin feeling numb, discouraged, or irritable, it often signals that I have grown weary and have become disconnected from the truth of who God is, what he has done and is doing in my life, and how He is at work in the lives of those I serve. Am I remembering God’s mercy towards me? Can I point to the ways He has met me in my needs? Have I lost sight of all His benefits?
Where have I seen His healing hand?
Psalm 103 calls us to bless the Lord and remember his benefits, including the promise that He “heals all diseases” (Psalm 103:3). This does not promise a life without suffering or pain, nor does it mean we will experience complete healing on earth. But it reminds us that ultimately God is in the work of restoring and healing His creation for His eternal purposes. What emotional, spiritual, mental, and relational wounds has He carefully been tending to in my life? How have I witnessed His healing hand in the lives of those I care for?
How has the Lord shown steadfast love to me?
When I am unstable, He is stable. When I am weary, He is strong. When my flesh is failing, He is steadfast and faithful. “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” (Psalm 103:8). Where have I seen the Lord’s compassion in seasons of sorrow and discouragement? How has the Lord continually shown me steadfast love and mercy?
Am I caring for others but neglecting my own soul?
In the work of caring for others, it’s easy to begin giving from an empty cup, slipping into self-sufficiency, emotional numbness, or quiet burnout. But true biblical caregiving comes from an overflow of the love the Lord has poured upon us, not our own striving. His love is the source, not just an example we are called to follow. How can I remind myself of the love the Lord has poured upon me? What areas of my heart and soul need replenishing?
To aid in your personal reflection on this topic, we have created a simple reflection guide through Psalm 103, which is available to all CTHN members by clicking HERE. This tool will offer you the space to consider and be reminded of the ways the Lord has forgiven your iniquity, healed your wounds, redeemed your life, shown you steadfast love and mercy, and satisfied you with His goodness. You will also be encouraged in the final section to write a prayer of gratitude, giving you the space to thank the Lord as you ground yourself in His faithfulness. This exercise will not take away your burden or erase your fatigue, but it is intended to point you back to the truths of the Lord as you remember His benefits.
This resource can also be a powerful tool to use within the counseling room. It is a gentle, scripture-focused guide to help clients reorient their focus on the character and promises of God, cultivate gratitude, acknowledge their pain while being reminded of the Lord’s faithfulness, and engage with the Lord in their discouragement and struggle.
Consider setting aside 10-15 minutes to engage with this tool yourself. Then if you find it meaningful, consider introducing it to counselees who may benefit from a gentle yet scripture-centered tool.