Psalms 42:11
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Depression is real. The blues are real. Just having a yucky day is real. We all know just how helpful it is when someone says things like ‘“Just snap out of it.” I know people mean well, but when has that advice worked? Well, bare with me today because I know at first glance Psalms 42:11 looks a little like that advice. However, there is one big difference. This advice is not coming from an outside source. It is coming from within yourself.
Yes, it is self-talk. It is not meant to help you just snap out of it. The Psalmist is taking a deep dive into the soul. Ask yourself, why are you downcast? What has you so upset? You may not have an answer. It doesn’t matter. The fact that you are asking yourself is a step in the right direction to eventually pulling out of it.
The next step is to just hope in God. No, this doesn’t mean put on a happy face and forgetting about your troubles. It means fall into God’s arms. Be depressed there if you need to. Let Him hold you, rock you, and just be with you. Find that rest and peace that will envelop you, if you just let go.
The last step is the easiest and yet it feels so hard and is often forgotten. Praise Him. Yep in the midst of the dark, just start praying and saying, “Thank You.” Then say it again and again until you mean it and feel it. Follow the Psalmist and the blues will turn into blue skies again. Just give yourself some grace and time to carefully and slowly let God pull you out of it.
Lord, when I face depression, thank You for not telling me to just snap out of it. ~amen
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