Why Are You Cast Down?

Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God. Psalm 42:11

Why am I cast down? (Some translations read, depressed or disturbed, while in the original Hebrew the words carry the meaning of being bowed or crouched down.) If you’ve ever felt the weight of your very soul being crouched down and bent over in despair you can relate to the pain embedded in these words.  In fact, I bet you can literally feel his words. Notice with me that the Psalmist is asking his own soul this penetrating question. “Why? Why are you in despair?”

It’s important that we probe our own soul with such questions. Asking, is this just a nebulous feeling of depression that’s always running in the background of our mind? The enemy loves to play that trick on us. Never really knowing the why of our ache, means we can’t find the answer to our ache. Others of us know exactly why we feel disquieted and cast down. Life has hit us between the eyes with a heartbreak or some cavernous regret or betrayal,  or an unexpected loss or grief. We can quickly put our finger on the why.

He then goes on to tell his soul what to do. “Hope in God.” Which makes me think that he recognized his hope was in something or someone other than God. Oh my… Have I been there! Hoping in the perfect circumstance or a specific outcome or even a person (including ourselves!). Nothing and no one, deserves our trust or should be the foundation for our hope, other than God Himself. When hope accidently edges toward a hoped-for outcome or a person, etc., depression or emotional ache or despair will inevitably result.

The Psalmist ends by reminding himself that the future is brighter than his soul is feeling. “I shall yet praise Him, my help and my God.” Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that this moment is not the totality of our life. This season or this trial or this feeling. We have a future and a hope found in the God we serve. In fact, that hope extends beyond this temporal life, into eternity. I don’t know about you, but that is so encouraging to me, because some of the issues that pain my heart, may never change.  And because of that, I need hope that goes beyond a temporary band aid of let’s-all-hold-hands-and-think-positive-thoughts as we sing Kumbaya. I need real hope. And so do you.

So, let’s ask ourselves the tough questions. Why am I cast down? And what/who have I placed my hope in? Then remind your self that there is a brighter future than you’re feeling right now. No matter your circumstances. Trust in Him. He will not fail you.

Suffering will push you into the arms of God.

– Joni Eareckson Tada

Father God, Help me slow down long enough to ask my soul these questions. Questions that You already know the answer to and have already made provision for. Would You give me the ability to hope in You even if and even when a situation feels as if all hope is lost, I will hope in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus