| Job 28:1-30:31, II Corinthians 2:12-17, Psalm 42:1-11, Proverbs 22:7
“Take courage my soul! Do you remember those times (but how could you ever forget them!) when you led a great procession to the Temple on festival days, singing with joy, praising the Lord? Why then be downcast? Why be discouraged and sad? Hope in God! I shall yet praise Him again. Yes, I shall again praise Him for His help. Yet I am standing here depressed and gloomy, but I will meditate upon Your kindness to this lovely land where the Jordan River flows and where Mount Hermon and Mount Mizar stand.” Psalm 42:4-6
I love it, this Psalmist isn’t going down without a fight. Even though depression is trying to overtake his life, he is holding onto hope. He’s doing some self-talk, “Take courage my soul, remember…” In encouraging himself, he is also remembering better days; he is meditating on the goodness of God. Our thought processes are what will pull us through when we feel overwhelmed. Connect your speech and thoughts to God’s faithfulness and His Word. Find scriptures that click with what you are going through and rehearse them until they become real to you. Don’t keep talking up your issue! Talk up your God! I’m not telling you to deny reality, I’m saying that the more we focus on our problem or depression, or whatever, that will be what is magnified. Tell yourself, “This isn’t great, but I trust the Lord will bring me through and I am going to continue to push through until I get my breakthrough!” The scripture also mentions worshiping and praying through the night. We have many keys to help us move forward. Praying for you!
PRAYER: Lord, my eyes are on You. Even when I am walking through deep waters and I may not feel You like I would like, I am going to continue to have faith and hope for better days. I know that You will come through. Nothing can separate me from Your love. You are for me and not against me. I worship You Lord. Amen. |
