Some people have a “life verse” or passage that has helped them deal with life or defined what they live by over the course of their lives. I think I have “seasons of life” verses. Three different passages of the Bible have stood out to me in different parts of my life so far:
Psalm 103 - Love
This was my first favorite verse/passage/chapter (in my young life and first marriage). I found it because a Bible I had at the time had a list of topics at the end of it that listed verses/passages that addressed them. I think I was dealing with shame at the time, and I just felt off somehow. I looked through the list of topics and found the word “depression” and it led me to Psalm 103. Instantly it was my favorite passage, and I loved the whole thing. It felt like a love letter from God.
One section that stuck out to me was verses 2-4: “Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits– who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion…” Being super into the world of epic literature and fairy tales at the time, I loved the imagery of God rescuing me from the pit of shame, and the symbolism of Him putting a crown on me. Not just some piece of metal with jewels. A crown of love and compassion.
And that led into the other section that I loved, verses 8-12: “The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” Again, I love the imagery here. I can picture the sky above and how vast and far away it is. God’s love for us is as big as that! And it’s big enough to forgive us–as far as the east is from the west! That’s forever away, now that we know the earth is round! Our transgressions are gone. This whole chapter in the Bible always encourages me.
Acts 2:28 - Joy
After my divorce, I felt like I was in a new phase of life, and needed a new “life verse” to live by. It was a lonely but interesting season. Up until then, I’d lived in the Willamette Valley, but in those days, I had been teaching overseas and working for social services in South Douglas County. By the time I moved back to the Willamette Valley, I’d become a bit of a sojourner, traveler, and explorer. Then I found Acts 2:28 - “You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.”
Instantly I loved it. Just like Psalm 103, it won me over with its vivid imagery. I was a bit scared of being stuck in the city I grew up in, living a boring life. But God promised to lead me to “paths of life.” This sounded soulful and vibrant. And joy in His presence! I needed that. It didn’t matter whether I was married or single, living an exciting life abroad or quietly teaching in my hometown. With God, I would live with adventure and joy. So what did I do? Got it tattooed on my arm! With a compass rose, of course. My longtime friend Sarah and I went to get tattoos together for our 40th birthday, and now I can’t forget this verse even if I wanted to. Side note: this verse references Psalm 16:8-11.
Psalm 121 - Peace
I’ve loved this chapter and the worship song based on it since I was a young adult. When I was in Afghanistan, I used to go up on top of the high school building and look around at the hills that surrounded the city (foothills of the Hindu Kush, a branch of the Himalayas) and sing it: “I lift my eyes up, unto the mountains, where does my help come from? My help comes from You, Maker of Heaven, Creator of the Earth.” Now that the world seems to be going crazy (even here in the US), I look around at the hills and mountains surrounding the Willamette Valley, and I think of that passage and song. It gives me comfort and peace. This world isn’t at all peaceful. But He is the Prince of Peace. He gives us peace in our hearts now, and promises total peace to the world someday.
As I was writing this, I realized that the three verses/passages I’ve considered “life verses” have the following three major themes: love, joy, and peace. Three things we need most desperately. Praying that you all find love, joy, and peace in your lives, whatever verses you read or love. Here’s a song that I wrote during my divorce that has these themes and more. Like the verses I love above, it’s full of imagery that helps me picture these things.
Fill Me
Verse 1:
Fill me with Your peace like a mountain stream
Fill me with Your joy like the sun
Fill me with Your love like the ocean blue
Fill me, Lord fill my heart with You
Verse 2:
Fill me with Your grace like a waterfall
Fill me with Your hope like the sky
Fill me with Your strength like a thunderstorm
Fill me, Lord fill my heart with You
Bridge:
I need You like a fish needs water, Lord
I need You like a bird needs wind
Fill my soul with Your Holy Spirit, Lord
Fill my heart with Your love so true
Fill my heart, draw me close to You
(repeat verse 1)
About the Author
Jessie is a novice writer, with several books in various stages and a blog about travel and the journeys of women. She is very excited to be a part of the CitySalt blog team. She has been blessed by a few communities of Christian writers that have encouraged her dream. She lives with her sweet husband, Chris, their 5 funny kids, and 1 fluffy cat in Springfield. She loves hiking and other outdoor and indoor adventures with her family.