HOW DO YOU HANDLE DISCOURAGEMENT?
Many tend to wallow or spiral down deeper into despair when facing sadness and discouragement. But David knew how to “encourage himself in the Lord” (1 Sam. 30:6). This psalm illustrates his method.
When he felt down or out of sorts, he didn’t just drag on, he stopped and found a quiet place to get alone with God. He addressed his soul, searching inside for the source of his own “disquiet.” Getting in touch with his own feelings and doubts, he carried them to the Lord, confessing his soul’s condition and changing the object of his hope from self to God. He was essentially saying, “Soul, stop hoping in yourself, that’s why you’re feeling so worried. Instead, hope in God!”
After a look in the mirror to see the source of his soul’s condition, he looked up to seek the “countenance” of the Lord. Like the countenance of an anxious child that brightens to a smile when seeing the face of his mother, so David sought the Lord’s face.
Have you learned to direct your soul to the Lord? When you are overcome with discouragement or sadness, have you learned the power of praising the Lord anyway? Have you learned to sing praises while in the pit? Songs like…
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in his wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of his glory and grace”
PRAYER: Dear Father, sometimes we are overcome by grief while living in this old world. We are sad. We are discouraged. Often, we don’t even know why. There’s just an emptiness in our souls. Yet, we turn to You. We look to You. Fill us afresh with Your Spirit. Exchange our sadness for Your unconquerable joy. In Jesus’ name, amen.