Hope for the Downcast
By Jessica Van Roekel
“Why are you downcast, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation, and my God” - Psalm 42:5 ESV
I love living in a part of the world where we experience all four seasons to the extreme. From the unfolding of springtime, the blaze of the summer heat, the brilliant beauty in the fall, and the barrenness of winter, I’m grateful for the variety these seasons bring. I’m especially grateful for the singing birds this spring after a white winter that was way too silent!
Experiencing a downcast soul is disarming. Sometimes I don’t feel I have time for my soul to be downcast, yet it happens. Sometimes it’s for days, weeks, or months. When I was a young woman, these moments unnerved me. I thought they would last forever, but they didn’t. As I reach middle age, I’ve learned not to freak out when I feel blue but to sit in it. It’s like experiencing the four seasons. There are good and bad things about each.
In spring, the grass turns green, trees unfurl their leaves, and days grow longer. But we also have forty-mile-an-hour sustained winds and freezing mornings followed by scorching afternoons. In summer, flowers bloom everywhere, and the scent of freshly mown grass joins the scorching heat and high humidity. Then fall arrives and brings beauty through different shades of colors but violent wind. Winter blows in with gorgeous snowfalls, frost-covered limbs, and vicious blizzards.
Living through the seasons shows me I can live through the winters of my soul when I feel downcast and barren. Our hope is not found in external sources, like entertainment, a new workout plan, or a new diet, even though they can bring temporary relief. No, our hope is found in God. Only he can make a way when we can’t find the way. Only He can sustain us when we don’t feel we can take another step.
This verse from Psalms gives insight into what we can do when we feel downcast. Hope rises when we praise God. The English word for praise can be traced to seven distinct Hebrew words. One of them, yadah, is lifting our hands to the Lord. When my small children lifted their arms to me, I reached down and picked them up to hold them close. We can have a similar relationship with the Lord.
We can reach out to him when our hearts weigh us down. He longs to save us and be our God. Will we turn to him? 2 Chronicles Chapter 20 captures another story of a group of people with a troubling situation that made their hearts downcast. It is the story of Jehoshaphat and the Israelites. The Bible says a great multitude was coming against them. This was the greatest crisis of Jehoshaphat’s reign. It’s also a great example of what happens when people choose to trust in God. Jehoshaphat didn’t let his fear drive a hasty decision. Instead, he drove his fear to God through fasting and prayer.
He called everyone to gather to seek the Lord. They stood before God, recounted their impossible situation, admitted their helplessness, and fixed their eyes on him. They didn’t know what to do but knew they needed him. God gave them hope and instructions. He planned to fight for them, and they needed to praise him by saying,
“Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever.”
They lifted their hands to him, and he responded. God knew what was coming against them, and in their downcast moment, they hoped in him. They praised him even when their souls felt downcast in the face of an insurmountable enemy.
Intersecting Faith and Life:
Our enemies might look different than the armies of 2 Chronicles 20. Ours might look like disappointment, rejection, doubt, betrayal, pride, or habits that don’t align with living right with God. And sometimes, we experience periods of sadness that linger for days, weeks, or months. Finding help through therapy or medication is one way to navigate these times. Hoping in God and praising him follows the examples set before us in the Bible. If you feel downcast today, take a moment and praise God with your thoughts, attitudes, and words. Then take another moment and another. Remind your soul to praise God.
Further Reading:
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Related Resource: How Habit Stacking Will Help You Discipline Your Mind, Body, & Spirit
The process of success is not hidden. It is on display for anyone to see. However, it is a daily grind that requires a great deal of work that is tedious and often uncomfortable. Successful people simply do the work. They embrace the grind and everything that comes with it. Ultimately, successful people understand this truth - Hope doesn’t produce change. Habits do! Everyone has the desire, but many lack the necessary discipline! That’s why today on The Built Different Podcast we have a very special guest who understands the importance of discipline and habits at a very high level. Don’t just focus on changing the thoughts in your head and the habits in your life, but also allow God to transform your heart from the inside out. If you like what you hear, be sure to subscribe to The Built Different Podcast on Apple, Spotify or YouTube so you never miss an episode!
