Downcast And Downtrodden

Do you feel downcast and downtrodden today? Do you see more gloom on the horizon than hope? Are you stouthearted or given into fear and anxiety?

We do not always get to choose the adversity a person has to face. In recent days I've ministered to a young man who epitomizes health. He works out. He eats healthy. He is fit as a fiddle. He took a nap on Saturday and today he is in the hospital. The details are not important. He did not choose this. It's left up to him and his family to endure it and to overcome it.

You may have not chosen your adversity. A lost job. Financial crisis. Loss of a loved one. A reassignment at work. Divorce you worked to avoid but have to endure anyway. The break down of vehicles. The adversity you watch your children endure.

The Psalmist knew those feelings of despair. He asked the questions that so often surface in the mind. Where is God? Where are the happy joyous days? Why such despair? Why so much turmoil?  Then he wrote these words that have served multiple generations.

Psalm 42:5 (ESV)
5  Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation

It is so easy to get discouraged by the trials of life. It is easy to get in turmoil like a tempest in your mind and heart. Such turmoil impacts the way you think and the way you feel. It is easy to be deceived on both fronts. If the mind dwells on the despair the faithfulness of God will be forgotten. The  discouraging circumstances will dominate thoughts and that in turn will lead to further depression and hopelessness.

What is the solution? The Psalmist makes an intentional decision to will himself to hope in God. To look to Him with confident expectation. One great thing to help with this is to recall all the times God has delivered you in the past from adversity. Meditate on the times He stepped in and saved the day.

Sometimes it helps to preach to yourself. That is exactly what the Psalmist does here. Why downcast? Why in turmoil? Turn your hope to God and praise Him again. Even when you may like feel like praising Him. Praise your way to hope again. Recall more joyful days. Job did this. So did Paul. It worked for them and I am confident it will work for you too.

Timely Truth

I had 70 minutes before leaving the office today. After a full day yesterday and two hospital visits one late into the morning hours I needed God to speak. I devoted those 70 minutes to seeking God asking, begging, pleading, beseeching Him to speak to me. I sat still before Him. Eventually I climbed under my desk prostrate on the floor and waited longingly for a fresh word. 40 minutes passed and nothing.

I got back in my chair and opened my Bible. I read several passages and nothing really touched me. Then a passage surfaced in my mind. Hurriedly I turned the pages until my eyes fell on some timely truth. I read the verses slowly. I circled key words and phrases. I read the verses a second time meditating on those words and phrases prayerfully. It was just what I needed. A fresh timely word.

Here are the key words He spoke:

Trust.
Dwell.
Befriend faithfulness.
Delight.
Commit.
Trust.
He will act.

All right out of the scriptures.

Psalm 37:3-5 (ESV)
3  Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
4  Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5  Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.

When you long for God to speak to you go to His word. There is timely truth there. Timely truth for all of us.