The Psalms have this unique way of speaking directly to the soul. Whether we’re celebrating or stumbling, they give us language for every spiritual season. Psalm 139, in particular, reminds us just how intimately God knows us—especially when anxiety threatens to take over our thoughts.

📖 “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” – Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV)

Key Reflections:

• God knows us better than we know ourselves—every thought, fear, and worry.

• Anxiety doesn't surprise God. He’s already aware of what’s weighing you down.

• Like David, we can invite God to search our hearts and bring peace to our anxious places.

• We’re not hiding from God—we’re hiding in plain sight. He sees and loves us anyway.

• Trusting God with our burdens is an act of faith—and freedom.

• Releasing our worries back “on the vine” (John 15) is a powerful daily habit of surrender.

💬 Join the Conversation:

What anxious thoughts are you carrying today?
Try writing them down, just like Megan does, and releasing them to God with the words:“Lord, I place this back on the vine.” Let us know what that process feels like for you. You’re not alone—and your heart is safe in His hands. 💙
Use the hashtag #LifeaudioNetwork or share in the comments.

🎙🎶 SUBSCRIBE to our NEW SHOW — Your Nightly Prayer

🌟 Check out other Crosswalk Podcasts: Crosswalk Talk: Celebrity Christian Interviews

Full Transcript Below:

Know Me and My Anxious Heart

By Megan J. Conner

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Ps. 139:23-24 (NIV)

There really is something so special about the Book of Psalms. They offer balm to a blistered heart or a chorus of celebration when joy overflows. No matter what you are encountering today, there is likely a psalm that speaks directly to your current state. Are you feeling burdened and afraid? You will find great comfort in the famous Psalm 23.  Feeling overwhelmed, possibly even attacked by voices of accusation? Take a look at Psalm 27. What about when you clearly see the fingerprints of God offering miraculous provision? Psalm 100 will help you offer thanks. 

What about when you long for connection and intimacy with the Lord? Allow David, a man after God’s own heart, to remind you how there is nowhere you can go where God is not with you, through the words he penned in Psalm 139. In this beautiful passage, David recalls how the Lord knows our thoughts and our ways. There is no place where we can go from His Spirit or flee His presence. 

Also included in this psalm is the often-referenced scripture, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made…” (Ps. 139:13-14, NIV).  That is how intimately the Lord is acquainted with us.  He literally knit each one of us together in our mothers’ wombs.  Like an artist creating a masterpiece, He thread each fiber of your being into existence.

With this understanding, we can not only trust our anxious hearts to the Lord, we can be assured He is already aware of our struggle.  Jesus reminded the disciples in Matt. 6:8 that “…your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him,” (NKJV). The Word also says, “all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be,” (Ps. 139:16, NIV). God is aware of all of your yesterdays, He discerns what will happen today, and sees what the future holds. He knows you – truly KNOWS you in a manner far beyond our human comprehension. You are His treasure. His precious child. God loves you so much that He sent His only Son to pay the penalty for your sin (John 3:16). You can trust Him with your deepest cares and your darkest secrets. 

Though He knows every facet of our beings, our Lord does not barge in and force His way into our hearts. Instead, He awaits our invitation. David understood this when he invited the Lord to search his will and his ways. 

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Ps. 139:23-24 (NIV)

Could we, like David, vulnerably and transparently open ourselves up to the Lord? 

Even if you feel like you are hiding those wounds, worries, or shame from the Heavenly Father, the truth is you are hiding in plain sight. If there is nowhere we can wander from His presence, and He knows what we need before we even bring our cares to Him, how can we not entrust our anxious hearts and thoughts to the Lord? He already knows our concerns, because he so intimately KNOWS us.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

What worries are bombarding your mind and stealing your peace today? Can you trust Him with your concerns? Why or why not? 

One of the practices that has brought me immense freedom from anxiety has been “releasing” my cares to the Lord. I do this by writing down my worry over a particular situation, my fear of an unknown outcome, or a wound I feel is still unhealed, and I “place it back on the vine.” The Bible says, He is the vine and we are the branches. If we abide in Him, He will abide in us (John 15:5-7). 

Every morning, I look over my catalog of concerns (or add new ones to the list).  As I share them with God, I declare, “Lord, I place this back on the vine. I trust You will do with it what You know is best. I trust in You, and I release it to You.” 

What cares can you place back on the vine today?

Further Reading:

Psalm 139

John 15:1-8

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.