Psalm 42:4-6 NLT
My heart is breaking as I remember how it used to be: I walked among the crowds of worshipers, leading a great procession to the house of God, singing for joy and giving thanks amid the sound of a great celebration! [5] Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again - my Saviour and [6] my God! Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember You - even from distant Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan, from the land of Mount Mizar.
There is always an inner conversation that goes on inside each one of us.
From the time that we open our eyes in the morning to placing our heads on the pillow at night, our souls constantly speak to us.
"How am I feeling today?" "What is my soul saying to me?"
My emotions can be like waves of the sea, tossing me back and forth giving me mixed, moody messages. These are unreliable feelings that cloud out God's Presence.
In this Psalm, the stark reality of a broken heart and shattered dreams have dragged the Psalmist to the brink of despair and the depths of depression.
In the midst of these feelings, he gives himself a good talking to:
"C'mon, soul, stop focussing on "the good old days", how things used to be. Focus and hope in God. It's not the end of the world. God still has a good plan for my life. There will be times to celebrate again."
My paraphrase of the above passage!
The Word of God has good messages that I can pick up and tell my soul, especially when I'm down.
No matter what negative words my soul is saying, God is listening. He wants to hear how I feel - but I must let God's Word have the last say!
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11
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