“Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God” (Psalm 31:5).

What does it mean to “commit my spirit” or give God full oversight over my soul? While these words perhaps are familiar as the last words that Jesus spoke from the cross on Good Friday, in Psalm 31 they are spoken by a person like you and me. So how can these words come from my lips in a meaningful way? 

As you and I live our lives, God works to train our souls to live in the fullness of reality that God is trustworthy, we are protected, and springs of joy and sustenance abound. With empowerment that comes from the Holy Spirit, we can strive to let God and his ways guide us—in everything. We trust God’s wisdom revealed in the pages of Scripture to guide our thoughts and decisions. We trust that the guidelines he gives for us are good because we were created by him. We trust that there are many good options to pursue with our Savior.

As trust becomes our life’s breath, we can be untangled from worry, free to follow the path that our heavenly Father offers to us. Jesus suggests, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). As worry departs, it’s replaced by wisdom, joy, and curiosity as we discover the beauty and adventure that he intends for us.