My Psalm 31 Tattoo Explanation

A couple weeks ago I got a tattoo. I've had lots of people ask me about what it is. It just says Psalm 31 on my wrist. That's it; just the verse reference. What I tell people is that its a psalm that David wrote about complaint and of praise and if they want to know what it actually says they can look it up. Why don't I have the verses memorized though? For one thing, it consists of 24 verses. That's a lot to remember. But the main reason is that if they are really interested in knowing what it says, they'll look themselves. It forces them to read the Bible, even just one chapter, its better than nothing. And personally I think its a wonderful chapter. I will share my favorite parts and ultimately, why I chose this particular part of the Bible to put on my body for the rest of my life.

'Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress;
My eye is wasted away from grief, my soul and my body also.
For my life is spent with sorrow
and my years with sighing;
My strength has failed because of my iniquity,
And my body has wasted away.
Because of all my adversaries, I have become a reproach,
Especially to my neighbors,
And an object of dread to my acquaintances;
Those who see me in the street flee from me.
I am forgotten as a dead man, out of mind;
I am like a broken vessel.
For I have heard the slander of many,
Terror is on every side;
While they took counsel together against me,
They schemed to take away my life.'
Psalm 31:9-13

It sounds terrible and really sad and depressing BUT THEN MY FAVORITE PART HAPPENS!!!!

'But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord,
I say, "You are my God."
My times are in Your hand;
Deliver me from the hand of my enemies and from those who persecute me.
Make Your face to shine upon Your servant;
Save me in Your lovingkindness.'
Psalm 31:14-16

If that doesn't get you pumped up and excited about life, I don't know what does. It makes my heart soar knowing that sadness and darkness is not meant for us, that there is something more in this world to live for. Jesus saves us. He saved me years ago and continues to throughout my life. Even when you feel like giving up on life, He shows up to bring us back to the light. To bring us back to Him. The devil has no hold on us and our mind and emotions. Jesus can break our chains that we drag behind us. It may seem impossible to escape the comfort of the darkness, but once your free, you don't want to go back. Your new comfort becomes the fact that He will not give up on you if You just trust. Let go of everything, take that first, terrifying step, and let Him and His love embrace you for all eternity.