The 6 P’s that Keep Us Psycho

According to Philip Keller, there are several reasons sheep never settle. They rarely rest. Their propensity toward pitiful is rampant. This is what makes Psalm 23 so beautiful, so rich, so longed for, so. . . foreign to our souls (if we are being honest).

Using some of my own language and terms (borrowed from Keller), below are 6 reasons sheep (real ones and us humans) remain pyscho, not content, restless.

Predators 

Sheep are frightened at the slightest sign of another animal. The scurrying of a rabbit can cause an entire herd to believe the king of the jungle present and ready for lunch. Any little thing makes them jump, for fear of their lives. Around every corner, behind every , and a headache, and a little red on the weather radar sends these sheep into a “we’re going to die!” panic.

Pride

Sheep don’t like to give up their place. Their status. Their position. They are always worried that another sheep is going to “butt” them out of the way. Take their spot. Push them into a “lower” space. Sheep are constantly on the lookout for who may be better or stronger. They constantly worry about losing their position or getting to a higher one. They can’t rest.

Pests

Bugs, flies, fleas, ticks, worms, and gnats drive sheep crazy. They simply cannot let themselves “lie down in green pastures” because tiny little and insignificant insects never leave them alone. Another ding on the phone. Another comment to check. Another text to reply to. Another phone call to make. Another status update to scroll.

Pasture

I mean, seriously. Have you ever seen ANY livestock “lie down in green pastures”? I can’t say I have. Why? Because in a green pasture, they are eating! Especially a sheep. A sheep will constantly stand and make himself sick eating because he fears he won’t have anything tomorrow, or the next day, or next week. A sheep cannot rest content that he will be provided for. Always worried about the future. Always wondering if their will be provision.

Parched

A sheep will drink any sort of liquid within eyesight, assuming it will be refreshment. Contaminated water. Oil. Another sheep’s puddle of urine. They will let themselves die of thirst or get sick on the assumption that what they are drinking will satisfy. Can you imagine? Lapping up what looks like it will quench a thirst only to have it leave us sick, or empty, or lifeless, or defeated?

Paths

No surprise here: Sheep are creatures of habit. Left to themselves, they will stay put. They keep to what they know. They stay where they are comfortable. They would rather stay where the path is worn and the grass is gone, as long as they don’t have to go anywhere different or new or unknown. Dirt and dust is preferable to a new and unknown path.

Why do most sheep stay psycho while others are able to rest? It all depends on or what their shepherd is.

David said, “The LORD is my shepherd. I shall not want.”

Go back through these 6 “P’s.” Allow the Holy Spirit to evaluate your heart and bring to mind those things that guide you, lead you, care for you – other than the LORD.  Ask the LORD to lead you to realign your heart in surrender to His loving and gracious guidance.