Why are you cast down and discouraged, 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 43:5
We all have times when we wake up in the morning and feel discouraged; we don’t feel excited about where we are and where it seems where we’re going-
But just because we feel those emotions doesn’t mean we have to stay there and give in to them; we can shake it off and move forward in faith relying on God’s strength, power and promise.
A great example of someone in the Bible who had a lot of experience in shaking off negative emotions is David. He had to fight discouragement, and he was the King of Israel. He had all kinds of opportunity, power and position. He was wealthy, and yet, he still struggled with being depressed and discouraged. That tells me that having to choose to rule over negative feelings is something every person has to deal with.
Don’t think you’re alone if you feel this way.
Turn to God and His hope. Don’t think, “If I just had more money, if I had a better job, if I had a more prominent place at my church, Then I wouldn’t have to deal with these feelings.”
No, you may think that, but every person has to fight the temptation to just give in and live by how we feel.
David had to talk to himself. He said, “Why are you cast down, oh, my soul? Hope in the Lord.” (Psalm 42). He was actually saying, “David, what are you doing in this bad state of a bad mood? Stop looking at your situation and start looking at Your God.” That tells me that your true joy is found only in God, when you take your eyes off of how you “feel” and your “circumstances” and place them on God and His Word.
Sometimes the best thing we can do is talk to ourselves and speak scripture over our lives.
Have you actually really tried that? Are you doing that? Or are you just staying in a discouraged thought pattern of defeat?
When you’re tempted to be in a bad mood, feel discouraged go look in the mirror and say, “Listen here, self. You need to cheer up. Get your joy back, get your peace back. I’m not going to live this day defeated.”
You have to stay on the offensive. Don’t wait until you’ve been down for three days, three weeks, three years before you decide to do something about it.
The moment you feel that discouragement trying to come on you, rise up and say, “No, I’m not going there.” When you wake up in the morning and feel depressed, you say, “No!, that’s not for me. This is going to be a good day. It’s the day the Lord has made.” “ I am going to believe my God and not go there; I am going to rise above that low feeling and Know God is with me and I’m going to choose to praise Him.”
Decide not to live by how you feel.
Go deeper than that!!!
Start living by what you know.
You know God is in control. You know He’s got a great plan for your life.
You know His power is greater than any other power. When you wake up and those old negative, discouraging thoughts and feelings come, shake them off.
Be done with that roller coaster living.
Don’t give into your emotions and let them keep you from God’s blessings and promotion.
Start choosing to live each day in God’s peace.
Decide that you’re going to have a great day. By doing this, you will see God work in your life in greater ways because your eyes are fixed toward Him instead of your situation, and you’ll live the life of victory He has in store for you!
Listen to what God says, "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10). Fight discouragement with His promised presence. Take Him at His Word and let His right hand uphold you and bring you through to victory!
Love in His Grace, Pastor Joe-
See You At Church-
www.NewCreation.TV