Crying The Blues:
Hey! Are you feeling discouraged, dejected or distressed?
Searching for hope?
Looking for encouragement?
Needing comfort?
Maybe your life is characterized by a mixture of opposite feelings or attitudes.
Possibly, you’re unsure what to do, where to go, who to turn to next.
Perhaps you’re uncertain or unable to decide about what course to follow.
In your search for clarity, you’re lacking confidence and assurance.
You’re flummoxed!
Perplexed!
Vexed!
Like the composer of sacred songs, one could be confronted by life’s disappointments, dashed hopes, and broken dreams.
“Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues?
Fix my eyes on God – soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God.”
In this text we have a beautiful picture of the psalmist preaching to himself – not once, not twice, but three times!1.
Now, that’s something to consider!
What! Preaching to yourself?
Yep!
Seriously?
Yep!
Try keeping a spiritual journal – a written record of personal experiences, observations, and reactions to spiritual stuff.
As this gradually develops, you may find it’s a great way in getting to know how God actively works in your life.
In reality, it can be a strength to remind yourself over and over again what God has done.
Focus on those Bible phrases that have a special meaning for you.
From time to time, prompt yourself about the amazing things He does.
Read it again. Back and forth.
Speak to your troubled heart. Aloud.
Go-on!
Preach to yourself!
And when the going gets tough – speak to your troubled heart again.
Digest the words. Let them come-home.
Remember the bright days.
Remember how God is faithful. He is good. Compassionate. Rich in love.
Know this, when it comes to the combination of circumstances we’re facing – no matter how difficult – we have a choice about what and how we feel in the condition which we find ourselves.
Here, the psalmist hits the central idea:
“O my soul, bless God.”2.
He stirs up the deepest within himself – to boast about his Lord.
Then, he repeats, “O my soul, bless God – don’t forget a single blessing!”
Sure-enough, it’s one thing to praise God when things are going well – but to fix your eyes on God when things are tough brings a challenge.
Admittedly, it’s not easy looking up when you’re feeling down!
Yet, only a heart after God will make one happy.
After-all, He is our hope, our encouragement, our comfort.
So, let’s rest in that truth!
Come-on!
What a Saviour!
Agree? Agree!
Amen? Amen!
1 Psalm 42:5
Psalm 42:11
Psalm 43:5
2 Psalm 103:1-2