Why are you downcast, O my soul?

Have you ever had these moments in your life where you find yourself pleading and begging to understand why you are downcast? Well the Psalmist who wrote Psalms 42 definitely has.

I often find myself in seasons of my life where I become downcast and heavy laden but as a believer in Christ, shouldn't I be filled with this overwhelming joy all the time? Yes! And no...Allow me to explain why.

Joy is a long-term expression of gratitude and elation. The presence of despair and downcast is not something that is nulled once we become believers, instead we have an answer for why we are downcast. The psalmist is asking a rhetorical question, "Why are you downcast 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." (Psalms 42:11-12). 

We may have these seasons of being downcast and in turmoil but the hope we have in Christ gives us this longing that we need more than we can get in this life. We were made to worship God and glory in him but when we in turn fill that desire with self pleasures we enter this state of want.

"As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?" (Psalms 42:1-2).

So dear reader, while we have these seasons of being downcast and within turmoil, they may not last long or last years. Ask yourself "Why I am feeing like this?" Then run to the open arms or our savior and turn to Christ the author and redeemer of our lives who not only cares for us as his special creation but actively seeks relationship with us and loves us.

1 Peter 5:7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.