Psalms For The Discouraged

[Coconut]

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and
my God. My soul is downcast within me;
therefore I will remember you..
Psalm 42: 5-6

Divorce. Unemployment, Financial disaster. Health problems. Those were just a few of the potholes on the road of life. And they can easily lead to discouragement - energy sapping, heart breaking, bone wearying discouragement. That's what the Psalmist was feeling, when he cried out, "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?" Can you relate?

Discouragement may be unavoidable, but it need not be terminal.
Let me share with you a few insights to help you climb out of the pit of despair.

First, remember how God has been with you in the past. Allow God's past
faithfulness to become a foundation for building hope for tomorrow.

Second, look for the lessons. If you'll keep your eyes and mind open, you
can learn something in any and every circumstance. It's not always productive
to ask "why" something happened, but it's always productive to allow your
circumstances to help you to grow in some small way.

Third, be patient. In our fast paced world we often
want immediate solutions, but the most important lessons in life are
are learned thru the process of time .

Fourth, reach out for help. Sitting alone in a pit is not fun. Nor is it productive to whine with other pit dwellers! What you need are people who can lift you up, people who will pray for you and speak words of hope when you can't find hope in your own heart. Don't go it alone.

Fifth, and most important, pray. Ultimately it's God who heals our
hearts, lifts us up and restores us. It's God who helps us to grow
deeper and stronger. Allow God to use your difficult circumstance as a
hammer to shape your character.

~from Elni




Psa 40 < A Psalm of David.> I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, [and] established my goings.
And he hath put a new song in my mouth, [even] praise unto our God: many shall see [it], and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
Blessed [is] that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
Many, O LORD my God, [are] thy wonderful works [which] thou hast done, and thy thoughts [which are] to us-ward:
they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: [if] I would declare and speak [of them], they are more than can be numbered.

 

[Bobinfaith]

Dear Coconut,

I printed your thread and posted on thy bulletin board next to my Talk Jesus pc. lol! This is what my wife calls my pc now. Please let me add a message she sent me last week as encouragement to my personal struggles. She told me she also shares my burdens and emailed me this;

Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me."

The road to success is not straight. There is a curve called Failure, a loop

called Confusion, speed bumps called Friends, red lights called Graves,

caution lights called Family. You will have flats called Jobs. But, if you

have a spare called Determination, an engine called Perseverance, insurance

called Faith, a driver called Jesus, you will make it to a place called

Success.


(I wish I had written this and she told me to snap out it! lol!)

I hope that everyone who reads your thread will let go for a moment our personal woes, and know that we are all in this together! WE ALL HAVE OUR SHARE OF STRUGGLES!! Stop being a lone Christian! Lets lean on God, each other, our families, church, and here at Talk Jesus! Lets be there for each other, amen?

Your servant in Christ Jesus.

 

[Coconut]

AMEN!!!!!!!!!! I wish I had wrote that too!

Thanks to your wife!

 

[Chad]

Coconut, awesome thread you started and great devotion. Bob, that is also truly awesome and I wish I wrote that too (shhhh!, don't tell anyone lol).

I like what your wife calls you pc, a great name