Cords of Death

David cried out to God:

"The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help." - Psalm 18:4-6

I just need to get it out. I feel as though I am drowning. These are my cords of death:

1) Family members who reject Christ and his ways.
2) A teenage girl in my church who gets hit by her drunken father.
3) Fellow pastors in my city who seem to care nothing for the poor.
4) Daughters who are ill and cry out all through the night.
5) Long hours, no recognition, and low pay.
6) The inability to afford a membership to the YMCA.
7) Imprisonment to sin and powerlessness to live a life of holiness before God.
8) The poor whom I try to serve offering no thanks and instead pronouncing insults.
9) Exchanging the comfort and safety of Wilmore, Kentucky for the near eastside.
10) Gunshots at night.
11) Two women in my church who hate one another and refuse to be reconciled.
12) Pharisees who prevent hungry people from finding the bread of life.
13) Underfunded and understaffed programs.
14) The need for marital counseling but no time or money for it.
15) The desire to just "get away" but no place to go.
16) A chaotic and messy house.
17) An unhealthy dependence upon soda, candy, and fatty foods to medicate my depression.
18) Sermons, board meetings, networking with community organizations, balancing budgets, fundraising, exegeting, visiting, casting vision, planning events, counseling, recruiting, managing staff, quizmastering, lesson planning, updating websites, delegating, peacemaking...
19) Darkness inside, emptiness, weariness, silence from God.
20) Mice in my food pantry.

"In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help."

I cry to you now, God.