The Psalm 23 Method:
How to Cultivate Spiritual Steadfastness
by Rachel Sweatt
Raise your hand if you have ever felt like something is just off sometimes. (Hi, it’s me! *raises hand*) Whether it’s due to a life transition, a rushed morning, or just a drift in our own mental or spiritual health, we are whole beings who are not living at a plateaued pace of ease but are constantly influenced by the ebb and flow of life. For followers of God, there is good news for the moments in life when our spirits are yearning for steadiness.
Psalm 23, a beloved passage in Scripture, grants us real-life examples of spiritual steadfastness throughout a variety of circumstances. From green pastures to still waters, through the valley of the shadow of death to the banquet in the midst of our enemies, the psalmist guides us in how we, too, can cultivate spiritual steadfastness in tangible and practical ways.
- Choose gratitude (v. 1). A spirit that is sure and steadfast is one that is deeply content, lacking nothing apart from the Shepherd who is ever near. This may require a shift in perspective and that’s okay! Try texting a friend to share something you’re grateful for right now.
- Practice restful restoration (vv. 2–3). If we neglect to engage in rest that restores, our spiritual muscles will never be able to remain steady and thrive throughout the various seasons of our lives. Spend time crafting a Sabbath rhythm that honors the season you are in by identifying a few life-giving practices you can implement daily, weekly, monthly, or even annually.
- Renew your trust (v. 4). Renew your commitment to trust God in the valleys. Speaking of our confidence in God brings a settledness to our soul that becomes an anchor in the midst of trials. Write down a Scripture passage that relates to your season and post it somewhere you’ll see it often, such as in your car, on your laptop, or anywhere in your home. To take this practice a step further, say the verse out loud as often as you can.
- Rejoice in God’s goodness (vv. 5–6). Rejoice in the abundance God is giving you in every season—early and often! This practice cultivates an awareness in our mind as well as in our spirit that God’s goodness is active and present in our everyday lives. BONUS: Being vocal about God’s goodness is also an incredible way to share how the gospel is transforming our lives with others in authentic ways.
As we each inevitably find ourselves in a moment of anxiety or a season that is shifting, we can practice the psalmist’s methods of cultivating a spirit of steadfastness, and “surely your goodness and love will follow us all the days of our lives and we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (see Psalm 23:6).
Rachel Sweatt is an author and speaker who thrives on sun, tacos, and the good news of the gospel. @rachelsweatt
Scripture quotations are from the New International Version of the Bible.