Psalm 42:5 - Dealing With Discouragement and Depression.
Psalm 42:5: Dealing With Discouragement and Depression.
Psalm 42:5 (NIV) Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so
disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my
Savior and my God.
Psalm 42:5 (NLT) Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I
will put my hope in God! I will praise him again" my Savior and
COMMENTARY APPLICATIONS
Arguing is usually a big waste of time and energy, but there
is something to be said for arguing with yourself. In fact, that's
a very biblical thing to do. Go ahead and speak truth and hope
into your own soul! That's what the psalmist did. When he was in
distress and felt himself slipping into a dark place, he spoke directly
to his own heart: "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."
Maybe you've been listening to too many negative, hopeless
voices on the nightly news... in the carpool... or on the phone with
your friends. Maybe the evil one has been whispering words of death,
defeat, and futility into your ear. It's time to set the record
straight! Declare the truth about who you are in Christ. Remind your soul
that Jesus is your help and hope, that the Father deeply loves you,
and that your future is secure in heaven.
Dear Lord Jesus, I've listened too long to cynical words,
dark thoughts - and anxieties that buzz around my head like bees.
Help me to speak life and peace into my own soul by the power of Your
indwelling Holy Spirit. [Joni Eareckson Tada Daily Devotional:
http://www.joniandfriends.org/daily-devotional]
There will inevitably be times when your soul is downcast.
But if you put your hope in God, you won't stay there for long. God
is high and holy, yet he doesn't stay far off in that high and holy
place, distant from us and our needs. If you're low-spirited because
you've had a setback in pursuing your health goals, God is right there
with you. He doesn't just visit the downcast, he moves in and camps
alongside you. He is committed to helping you get up and on your feet
again.
The Bible says, "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will
sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken" (Psalm 55:22).
That's a promise you can count on. God wants to carry your load with
you. What do you need to pile onto his shoulders? God will live with
you and help you through your challenges.
Put your hope in God; he is the most reliable comforter. You
can depend on him. [The Daniel Plan 365-Day Devotional]
When we experience disappointment in life, it can develop
into depression unless we quickly put our hope in God and believe
that we can begin again and experience victory.
While working on a book recently, I lost several hours of
work by accidentally hitting a delete key on my computer. I actually
made a series of errors that prevented me from being able to get the
work back. I was disappointed, to say the least! I had a choice to
make. I could remain upset and let my disappointment turn into a bad
mood that would ruin my day, or I could put my hope in God and simply
begin again.
I decided to trust that I would do a better job on the lost
section of my work than I did the first time and not let my
disappointment defeat me. No one wants to be disappointed, but at least with
God on our side, we can get "reappointed."
If you have experienced a recent disappointment, I encourage
you to make a choice to not let it become a worse problem than it
is. Don't let it turn into discouragement and then perhaps
depression. God is ready to help you begin again if you will let go of the
past and press on.
Father, I trust You to help me turn all disappointments in
life into new beginnings. Don't let me waste one of the precious days
that You give me in discouragement over the past! [My Time with God
by Joyce Meyer]
Self-pity is a slimy, bottomless pit. Once you fall in, you
tend to go deeper and deeper into the mire. As you slide down those
slippery walls, you are well on your way to depression, and the darkness
is profound.
Your only hope is to look up and see the Light of My Presence
shining down on you. Though the Light looks dim from your perspective,
deep in the pit, those rays of hope can reach you at any depth. While
you focus on Me in trust, you rise ever so slowly out of the abyss
of despair. Finally, you can reach up and grasp My hand. I will
pull you out into the Light again. I will gently cleanse you, washing
off the clinging mire. I will cover you with My righteousness and
walk with you down the path of Life. (Psa. 40:2, 3; 42:5; 147:11)
[Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
Accept each day exactly as it comes to you. By that, I mean
not only the circumstances of your day but also the condition of
your body. Your assignment is to trust Me absolutely, resting in My
sovereignty and faithfulness.
On some days, your circumstances and your physical condition
feel out of balance: The demands on you seem far greater than your
strength. Days like that present a choice between two alternatives -
giving up or relying on Me. Even if you wrongly choose the first
alternative, I will not reject you. You can turn to Me at any point, and I
will help you crawl out of the mire of discouragement. I will infuse
My strength into you moment by moment, giving you all that you need
for this day. Trust Me by relying on My empowering Presence. (Psalm
42:5; 2 Corinthians 13:4; Jeremiah 31:25) [Jesus Calling by Sarah
Young]
When you are feeling downcast, the best remedy is to remember
Me. Think about who I am - your Lord and your God, your Savior and
Shepherd, the Friend who will never leave you. I am fully aware of your
every circumstance as well as all your thoughts and feelings.
Everything about you is important to Me because you are so precious to Me.
Remember the many ways I have taken care of you and helped you. Thank Me
for each one that comes to mind, and relax in My loving Presence.
Tell Me about the things that are weighing you down. Though I
know all about them, your voicing them to Me provides relief from the
heavy load you've been carrying. In the Light of My Presence, you will
see things more clearly. Together, you and I can sort out what is
important and what is not. Moreover, as you linger with Me, My Face shines
upon you - blessing, encouraging, and comforting you. I assure you
that you will again praise Me for the help of My Presence. (Psa.
42:6; John 20:28; Deu. 31:8; Psa. 42:5) [Jesus Always by Sarah Young]
Come to Me for rest and refreshment. The journey has been too
much for you, and you are bone-weary. Do not be ashamed of your
exhaustion. Instead, see it as an opportunity for Me to take charge of your
life.
Remember that I can fit everything into a pattern for good,
including the things you wish were different. Start with where you are at
this point in time and space, accepting that this is where I intend
you to be. You will get through today one step, one moment at a
time. Your main responsibility is to remain attentive to Me, letting
Me guide you through the many choices along your pathway.
This sounds like an easy assignment, but it is not. Your
desire to live in My Presence goes against the grain of "the world, the
flesh, and the devil." Much of your weariness results from your
constant battle against these opponents. However you are on the path of
My choosing, so do not give up! Hope in Me, for you will again
praise Me for the help of My Presence. (Rom. 8:28; Psalm 42:11) [Jesus
Calling by Sarah Young]
Praise Me for the help of My Presence. At all times and in
all circumstances, it's appropriate to pray: "Thank You, Jesus, for
being with me here and now." You may not sense My Presence with you,
but I have promised - and that is enough!
An important part of your assignment as a Christian is to
trust that I am with you always. In faith, talk to Me about your
thoughts and feelings, your struggles and pleasures. Believe that I care
for you deeply and I hear all your prayers. Seek My help with
confident anticipation. Be on the lookout for all the ways I am at work:
in you and through you. Rejoice that you and I together can do
immeasurably more than all you ask or imagine. My Power is at work within you
- especially as it connects with your weakness offered up to Me
for My purposes.
Remember that nothing is impossible with Me, and refuse to be
intimidated by daunting circumstances. Praise Me for the help of My
Presence! (Psa. 42:5 Mat. 28:20; Eph. 3:20; Luke 1:37) [Jesus Always by
Sarah Young]
ONE LINERS
Sometimes we do not even know why we feel discouraged or down or
sad. It is good at those times to consciously put our hope in God to
draw on His strength, and to anticipate the grace He will show us.
[Life Principles SB By Charles Stanley re Psa. 42:11]
It is said that when Luther was at the brink of despair, he
would ask the question in this verse, and say to Melanchthon, Come,
Philipp, let us sing the 46th Psalm. [SDA Bible Commentary]
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2012/20120502-1812.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo [old, but one of the best]
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Musical Devotional On Christian Living:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcotY5K7T0c
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Discover Bible Studies: http://studies.itiswritten.com/discover/
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: http://www.bibleresearch.info/
ABible.com: http://www.aBible.com
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK
Restoring The Power by John Bradshaw:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRogO1SxoZN15Boa7BMon4BouVMdteVaq
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
Last Day Prophecy: His Other Sheep by Pastor Gerald Babanezhad:
https://vimeo.com/162267518
