What's Wrong With Me? Part 1

Have you ever asked yourself that question?

Maybe something happened suddenly that made you question your competence.

Maybe someone said something that made you question your character or your worth.

Maybe nothing happened—and that silence made you question your understanding of yourself, your purpose, or your relationship with God.

If you live long enough in this world, chances are you’ve faced that inner voice. I know I have—more than once.

But the real question is: How do you respond to it?

The Wrong Response to the Right Pain

I haven’t always responded well. Sometimes, people around me didn’t help in the right way—offering unsolicited advice or spiritual clichés. Other times, I rushed past the question too quickly, trying to "move on" without reflection. And still other times, I lingered on it far too long—spiraling in self-doubt and shame.

So, is there a right way to respond?

I believe the answer is yes. And not just a helpful, feel-good yes—but a biblically grounded, spiritually renewing yes.

This past week, I spent time soaking in Psalm 119. That reflection led me to consider Job, the wandering Israelites, the early church, and the disciples after the crucifixion. From those observations, three key truths began to surface in response to the question, “What’s wrong with me?”

I'll explore each one over the next few posts, starting with this:

1. There Is a Better Question

Psalm 119 begins by describing the blessed life—the joy of those who walk according to God’s ways:

"Blessed are those whose way is blameless,

who walk in the law of the LORD.

Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,

who seek him with their whole heart..."

(Psalm 119:1–2)

At first glance, it seems like a celebration of the righteous. But by verse 5, the tone shifts. The writer isn’t claiming perfection—he's longing for it. His words are full of frustration with his own shortcomings:

“Oh that my ways may be steadfast

in keeping your statutes!

Then I shall not be put to shame...”

(Psalm 119:5–6)

Shame. Frustration. A longing for something better. Sound familiar?

But here's the beauty: the psalmist doesn't stay there. He pivots. Rather than wallow in failure, he realigns his focus:

“With my whole heart I seek you...

I have stored up your word in my heart...

I will meditate on your precepts

and fix my eyes on your ways.”

(Psalm 119:10–15)

The shift is subtle but powerful. He doesn’t ask, “What’s wrong with me?” He asks, in essence:

“How do I respond to God’s sovereignty in this?”

The Anchor in the Storm

I’m convinced that we can’t stay grounded in God if we aren’t grounded in His Word. Psalm 119 reminds us that our entire purpose is to glorify God—and we do that by keeping our eyes fixed on who He is, especially in times of hardship.

Is it possible to be focused on God without being focused on His Word?

I don’t think so.

Scripture reveals the heart of God—His character, His promises, His boundaries, His ways. And again and again, it reveals one foundational truth:

God is Sovereign.

That means He is in complete authority—over everything, everywhere, all the time. No event, circumstance, or struggle escapes His reach.

Even the bad stuff? Yes. Even that.

He doesn’t cause every wound, but He allows nothing without purpose. And that changes how we frame our questions.

The Better Question

When life breaks down, and our first instinct is to ask, “What’s wrong with me?”—let’s not ignore the question, but let’s redirect it. The better question is:

“How do I respond to God’s sovereignty in this?”

Maybe He’s convicting me of sin.

Maybe He’s inviting me to trust Him deeper.

Maybe He’s redirecting my path or refining my character.

But focusing on my flaws will only bury me in a never-ending list of inadequacies I can’t fix on my own. Instead, Psalm 119 shows me this truth:

God desires a heart that responds in faith and obedience—no matter the season. And when we do that...

We are always led to praise.

From Despair to Worship

When I shift my question from “What’s wrong with me?” to “How do I respond to God's sovereignty in this?”—I’m no longer stuck in shame. I’m standing in surrender. And from there, something miraculous happens. Worship rises. Even in the valley. Even when the answers don’t come. Even when the healing hasn’t arrived.

I lift my eyes to the hills—from where my help comes. And in that moment, I’m ready for the next revelation:

Disappointment always leads to re-appointment.

We’ll talk about that in the next post.

Stay grounded. Stay hopeful. Stay focused on Him. God Bless.

With You for His Glory-