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.” (Psalms 42:11 NIV)

           In this verse “downcast” implies that you are looking down toward the ground due to sadness, shame or guilt.  It means you have feelings of heaviness of heart, grief, or loss of hope.  For we have all felt this at one time or another in our life.  Thoughts of feeling, “I should have done this or I should have done that” occur—regret.

           Then the verse says, “Why so disturbed within me” expresses internal chaos. It is feeling an emotional storm inside, even if it is calm outside.  Peace is no where to be found.  It is a state of worry, fear, or mental agitation which replaces quiet confidence.  

           Then it says, “put your hope in God.” This helps us to understand that we have to make a deliberate choice.  It is a command to oneself.  To force the mind away from despair and redirects it toward God.  By focusing on God rather than “self”.  It means with God I can get through the physical, emotional, and spiritual despair and anchor myself in the security of God.

           This verse is about finding hope in the midst of despair.  It captures the inner struggle of feeling downcast but reminds the soul to put its hope in God.  For I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  It is something to remember. God Bless.  Amen.

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denise