Psalm 42:5 - Finding Hope in Discouragement and Depression.
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 my
God!
COMMENTARY PEARL
Its almost summer and the living
is supposed to be easy, according to the
George Gershwin song Summertime. But
sometimes its not so easy. Im off work every
summer, and every summer I have a battle in my mind.
In the last few weeks several famous people
have committed suicide. Every time I hear about
suicide, I am reminded of my teenage and young-adult
years when I longed to die. I was hopeless. It
wasnt until Jesus came into my life at the age of
twenty-six that I began to look at life through a lens
of hope.
Having Jesus as my Savior, knowing He is
with me and that He cares for me, gives me
strength. His presence helps me fight when my mind
wants to focus on regrets, failures, shortcomings,
and all manner of negativity. Those negative
thoughts trouble me the most when I am not working.
Thats why its necessary for me to be even more
vigilant about focusing on the words of Jesus during
the summer. I have to find a way to stay busy.
So this summer Im delighted to have the
chance to write. It gives me purpose and draws me
closer to Him.
It is a humbling and awesome honor to be
able to refocus negative thoughts into hopeful
thoughts in Jesus. I think of His goodness toward me
and His promises to me. I begin to praise Him
for His help and His presence. Because Jesus
lives, I have hope for the future, and I can face
the summer. Words cannot express my gratitude to
Jesus for giving me hope! by Tracy Eldridge
Faith Step: When you feel hopeless, turn
to Jesus and His Word for encouragement, so
your hope can be restored. Allow your mind to
focus on His goodness, His mercy, and His grace
toward you. Watch your hope rise. [Mornings With
Jesus 2020 Devotional by Guideposts and
Zondervan]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS TOPIC
Psalm 42:5 - Dealing With Discouragement and
Depression:
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20190105-2037.html
Psalm 43:5 - Remedies for Discouragement and
Depression:
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2012/20120502-1812.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
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
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
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
Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides:
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio (currently live):
https://bible.awr.org/the-warning/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug
Batchelor:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657