ARE YOU DOWN?

Psalm 42:1-11

Twice in Psalm 42 the writer asks: "Why are you cast down, O my soul? And
why are you disquieted within me?" (vv. 5,11). Perhaps you have asked the
same thing. Why do we have hours, sometimes days, perhaps weeks of
depression and discouragement? There may be times when we are not at our
best physically. I think of Elijah, who had that difficult experience on
Mount Carmel when he battled the prophets of Baal and God sent fire from
heaven. When it was over, he was tired. His nerves had been stretched to
the breaking point, and he got discouraged and ran away. He needed food
and sleep, so God sent an angel to feed him and give him rest.

Sometimes our depression is satanic. The Enemy is throwing darts at us.
And instead of holding up the shield of faith, we fail to trust God. Those
darts then start fires of depression and discouragement in our lives.
Sometimes our depression comes from guilt because of unconfessed sin.
Sometimes it's just sorrow because of circumstances. We may have lost a
loved one or a friend. Sometimes we feel that we have failed and that
everything has come to an end.

What's the cure for all of this? "Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him
for the help of His countenance" (v. 5). You have a secure future in Jesus
Christ. The best is yet to come. Hope in God and start praising Him. The
psalmist said, "I shall yet praise Him." But don't wait! Start praising
Him now. I've discovered that when I get discouraged, the best thing to do
is praise the Lord immediately. Praise is the greatest medicine for a
broken heart. The psalmist praised God for "the help of His countenance."
No matter how you feel or whatever your circumstances, if you'll look to
the face of God, you'll discover that He's smiling on you.

How do you cope with discouragement? Certainly, if it is caused by guilt
from unconfessed sin, you need to repent and ask forgiveness. Generally,
the cure for being down is to hope in God and praise Him. Your hope in Him
is well founded, for He is ever faithful to His Word. Are you discouraged?
You may not be able to change your circumstances, but you can praise God.