Distraught
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The term "distraught" refers to a state of deep distress, agitation, or mental conflict. In the context of the Bible, individuals often experience moments of being distraught due to various trials, tribulations, or spiritual struggles. The Scriptures provide numerous examples of people who faced such emotional turmoil, offering insights into the human condition and the divine response to human suffering.

Biblical Examples:

1. Hannah's Anguish: In 1 Samuel 1, Hannah is described as being deeply distressed due to her inability to bear children. Her rival, Peninnah, provoked her, causing her great emotional pain. Hannah's response was to pour out her soul before the LORD in prayer. "In her deep anguish, Hannah prayed to the LORD, weeping bitterly" (1 Samuel 1:10). Her account highlights the importance of turning to God in times of distress.

2. David's Despair: King David often found himself in situations that left him distraught. In Psalm 6, he expresses his deep emotional turmoil: "I am weary from groaning; all night I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears" (Psalm 6:6). David's psalms frequently reflect his honest emotions and his reliance on God for comfort and deliverance.

3. Jesus in Gethsemane: The Gospels recount Jesus' time in the Garden of Gethsemane, where He experienced profound distress as He anticipated His crucifixion. "And being in anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground" (Luke 22:44). Jesus' experience underscores the reality of human suffering and the importance of seeking the Father's will even in the most trying circumstances.

4. Paul's Trials: The Apostle Paul faced numerous hardships that left him in states of distress. In 2 Corinthians 1:8, he writes, "We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the hardships we encountered in Asia. We were under a burden far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life" . Despite his trials, Paul found strength in God's grace and the hope of eternal life.

Theological Insights:

The Bible acknowledges the reality of being distraught as part of the human experience. It does not shy away from depicting the raw emotions of its characters. However, it consistently points to God as the ultimate source of comfort and strength. Believers are encouraged to cast their anxieties on Him, as stated in 1 Peter 5:7: "Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you" .

The Scriptures also emphasize the role of prayer and community in dealing with distress. Philippians 4:6-7 advises believers, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" . This passage highlights the transformative power of prayer and the peace that comes from trusting in God's sovereignty.

Practical Application:

For those experiencing distress, the Bible offers both comfort and guidance. It encourages believers to seek God earnestly in prayer, to rely on His promises, and to find solace in the community of faith. The examples of biblical figures who faced distress serve as reminders that God is present in times of trouble and that He provides strength and hope to those who seek Him.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (a.) Deeply agitated, anxious, distracted.

2. (a.) Torn asunder; separated.

3. (a.) Distracted; perplexed.

Library

Concerning "Wisdom," "Mind," "Reason," "Truth," "Faith. "
... described as an echo of that Wisdom; even diabolic intelligence, qua intelligence,
belongs thereto, though in so far as it is a distraught intelligence, not ...
/.../rolt/dionysius the areopagite/chapter vii concerning wisdom mind.htm

Literary Expressions
... A detached segment of life. A dire monotony of bookish idiom. A disheveled and
distraught figure. A face singularly acute and intelligent. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section vii literary expressions.htm

The Arts by which Origen Studies to Keep Gregory and his Brother ...
... it from others, but toil feverishly in quest of wealth, and glory, and such honours
as belong to the crowd, and bodily comforts, and go distraught about things ...
/.../the oration and panegyric addressed to origen/argument vi the arts by which.htm

Here, to the Things Thou Hast Thought Meet to Inquire of Me...
... For with so great businesses is my heart distraught, that had not he by ever and
anon putting me in mind not suffered me to forget it, assuredly to thy ...
/.../augustine/on care to be had for the dead /23 here to the things.htm

Hymn for the Epiphany
... Distraught, the tyrant base doth hear That now the King of Kings draws near To
reign in David's seat of state And Israel's empire dominate. ...
/.../prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/xii hymn for the epiphany.htm

Eighth Tractate. On Free-Will and the Will of the One.
... But if rage or desire implied freedom we must allow freedom to animals, infants,
maniacs, the distraught, the victims of malpractice producing incontrollable ...
/.../plotinus/the six enneads/eighth tractate on free-will and.htm

On Contempt for Pain, Poverty, and Other External Things.
... is afflicted by the pressure of the latter; and if he who has not yet attained the
habit of self-command be not a high-souled man, he is distraught; and the ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter v on contempt for pain.htm

May-Time in War.
... The lark begins to sing; No creature but can now be glad,. Its heart's desire can
still; Man only is distraught and sad. Through his own darkened will; ...
/.../winkworth/christian singers of germany/may-time in war.htm

Whether Fear is a Special Passion?
... For Augustine says (QQ.83, qu.33) that "the man who is not distraught by fear, is
neither harassed by desire, nor wounded by sickness""-ie sorrow"-"nor ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether fear is a special.htm

To the Monks of Constantinople.
... And who is so distraught as, while hearing the words of the divine Paul "one Lord,
one faith, one baptism," [2019] and again "there is one Lord Jesus Christ by ...
/.../theodoret/the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/cxlv to the monks of.htm

Thesaurus
Distraught (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Distraught (2 Occurrences). Psalms 55:2 Attend unto me,
and answer me: I am restless in my complaint, and moan, (See JPS RSV NIV). ...
/d/distraught.htm - 7k

Distracted (3 Occurrences)
... Ask her therefore to help me." (WEB WEY DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV). Psalms 55:2 Attend
unto me, and hear me; I am distraught in my complaint, and will moan; (See NAS) ...
/d/distracted.htm - 7k

Distrain (1 Occurrence)

/d/distrain.htm - 7k

Mephibosheth (13 Occurrences)
... in Jerusalem. Then came Absalom's rebellion. David determined to flee,
so distraught was he by the act of his son. At the moment ...
/m/mephibosheth.htm - 17k

Distress (169 Occurrences)

/d/distress.htm - 36k

Resources
How can I help someone who is suicidal? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Dathan in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Why was a father's blessing so highly valued in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.org

Distraught: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Distraught (2 Occurrences)

Psalms 55:2
Attend unto me, and answer me: I am restless in my complaint, and moan,
(See JPS RSV NIV)

Hosea 4:14
I will not punish your daughters when they play the harlot, nor your brides when they commit adultery; for the men themselves go apart with harlots, and they sacrifice with the prostitutes; and the people that doth not understand shall be overthrown.
(See JPS)

Subtopics

Distraught

Related Terms

Straiten (4 Occurrences)

Oppress (57 Occurrences)

Inflict (25 Occurrences)

Groan (32 Occurrences)

Stress (3 Occurrences)

Pain (172 Occurrences)

Adversity (54 Occurrences)

Tribulation (43 Occurrences)

Distrain (1 Occurrence)

Anguish (75 Occurrences)

Travailing (16 Occurrences)

Enlargement (7 Occurrences)

Cry (431 Occurrences)

Attentively (35 Occurrences)

Straitness (6 Occurrences)

Supplication (71 Occurrences)

Barefoot (7 Occurrences)

Disturbed (30 Occurrences)

Womb (84 Occurrences)

Enemy (134 Occurrences)

Distressing (8 Occurrences)

Roar (53 Occurrences)

Distressed (70 Occurrences)

Gates (156 Occurrences)

Stronghold (68 Occurrences)

Vexation (36 Occurrences)

Givest (31 Occurrences)

Imposed (16 Occurrences)

Intends (2 Occurrences)

Issues (8 Occurrences)

Tobit

That's (8 Occurrences)

Tears (58 Occurrences)

Rephidim (5 Occurrences)

Roaring (28 Occurrences)

Despising (25 Occurrences)

Mercies (62 Occurrences)

Pity (165 Occurrences)

Punished (47 Occurrences)

Pleaded (21 Occurrences)

Ariel (7 Occurrences)

Anaharath (1 Occurrence)

Struggle (16 Occurrences)

Succor (8 Occurrences)

Sorrow (277 Occurrences)

Shed (73 Occurrences)

Misery (38 Occurrences)

Stir (57 Occurrences)

During (182 Occurrences)

Afflict (55 Occurrences)

Beard (23 Occurrences)

Help (1694 Occurrences)

Affliction (120 Occurrences)

Torment (19 Occurrences)

Begged (71 Occurrences)

Agony (20 Occurrences)

Adullam (10 Occurrences)

Sacrifice (300 Occurrences)

Gloom (29 Occurrences)

Jephthah (26 Occurrences)

Nahum (3 Occurrences)

Siege (63 Occurrences)

Broad (113 Occurrences)

Suffering (104 Occurrences)

Secretly (104 Occurrences)

Legs (50 Occurrences)

Abundant (124 Occurrences)

Speedily (38 Occurrences)

Storm (62 Occurrences)

Wouldn't (67 Occurrences)

Calamity (108 Occurrences)

Enemies (317 Occurrences)

Wherewith (182 Occurrences)

Disgrace (73 Occurrences)

Rescued (49 Occurrences)

Refuge (111 Occurrences)

Guilty (131 Occurrences)

Offspring (186 Occurrences)

Distrain
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