Why Are You Down?

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God. ~Psalm 42:5



Feeling "down" is something all people experience, and for some reason, the holidays seem to make it worse. But we don't have to dwell in discouragement, especially those of us who are in Christ.



During one recent bout of discouragement, I realized that my "down" feeling usually originated from wrong thinking on my part. Here are a few catalysts of discouragement to watch out for and overcome quickly.



DISCONTENT

...I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. ~Philippians 4:11b-13



Many times when I'm feeling "down," I can trace it back to discontentment, which is really just putting our focus on our circumstances rather than God. God has promised to meet our needs. He gives us strength. Regardless of our circumstances, we can learn, like Paul, to be content in any and every situation. Here's a quote that I wrote in the back of my Bible that really speaks to me.



"Do not yield to the temptation of looking at everything at once, as if everything would happen at once and all the events of the day be crowded into an hour. Do not thus forecast, but take each thing as it comes to you, and look upon it as the present expression of the will of God concerning you, then regard the rest in the same way, and thus receive your day piece by piece from Him who will remember always when He gives you work to do, that you need strength to do it. " ~Priscilla Maurice 



But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. ~1 Timothy 6:6-7



We get so hung up on our material possessions, and spend our lives greedily trying to get more. We can only use what God gives us for today, so why be troubled when we don't have more?



Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." ~Hebrews 13:5

 





BITTERNESS

"See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many." ~Hebrews 12:15



I really struggle with this one, and many times my "down" feelings can be traced back to bitterness. Life is often unfair, and our spirits cry out for justice. When justice isn't satisfied on our timetable, it's easy to become embittered.



Notice that bitterness is a root. It's a cause, not a symptom. As a gardener, I've seen some pretty stubborn roots, and if I don't get the roots yanked out completely, that plant will continue to grow and cause trouble.



It's the same way with bitterness. When you feel it, deal with it as quickly as possible. Ask the Lord to yank every bit of that bitter root from your spirit. Trust that justice will be done in His timing, because He's told us it will happen.



Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. ~Romans 12:17-21



WORRY, ANXIETY, AND FEAR

These three impostors are one and the same, and they will steal your joy faster than anything. Here are a few verses that will help you triumph over them.



"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?....Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?....So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." ~Matthew 6:25, 27, 31-34    (Did you notice how many times Jesus tells us not to worry?)



Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 4:6-7



The verses immediately preceding this verse, give us yet another antidote to anxiety: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ~Philippians 4:4-5



Throughout the Bible, we see the words "Don't be afraid" and "Fear not." Here are just a few:



"Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham." ~Genesis 26:24b



"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you." ~Deuteronomy 31:6



"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." ~Joshua 1:9



"Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD. ~Jeremiah 1:8



"So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." ~Matthew 10:31





"Don't be afraid; just believe." Mark 5:36b





"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." ~John 14:27





Notice that the cure for fear, worry and anxiety is trust in God and His presence with us.





When I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? ~Psalm 56:3-4



The LORD is my light and my salvation--whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident. ~Psalm 27:1-3



APPLICATION:

The antidote to discontentment is to take our focus off our problems and look instead at all that is ours through Christ.





The antidote to bitterness is removing bitterness as soon as it takes root and allowing God to work in His way and in His timing.



The antidote to worry, anxiety and fear is trust in God. Turn those cares into prayers of faith.



The result? Joy and praise focused upwards, instead of a downcast spirit.



Lord God, we praise You for being the lifter of our heads. We have no reason to be discontent because you've promised and proven that You'll meet our needs. We have no reason to be bitter because You are a God of perfect sight and justice. We have no reason to be afraid and anxious, because You have promised to always be with us and You are trustworthy. Thank You, God, that in spite of trying circumstances we can live in joy and peace. May we turn that joy and peace toward You in praise.



In Jesus' name,

Amen