Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. (Psalm 42:5)
Sometimes the difficulties, pressures, and sorrows of life put us in an emotional funk that we can't seem to get out of. We battle our own thoughts and emotions and can't seem to win. Psalm 42:5 is a good reminder in such times.
1. Gain control of your "inner talk." The psalmist basically preaches to himself, addressing his own soul and challenging his own thought process.
2. Evaluate what you are putting your hope and confidence in. By asking, "Why am I downcast? Why am I disturbed?" the psalmist is rooting out the false idols that he has placed his faith in.
3. Put your hope and confidence in God alone. God is the only solid foundation and rock because God is the only One who is eternal and unchanging. Put your focus and hope in Him and remember His grace toward you demonstrated in Jesus Christ.
4. Choose to praise Him. The psalmist basically praises his way out of the pit. He chooses to sing. He chooses to be thankful. He chooses to rejoice in God's grace and salvation. We have to determine that our faith in God will guide our emotions…not the other way around.
So talk to yourself, place your faith in God, and choose to praise Him and be thankful for His grace today!
