Human Response 794: Cast down but Soul Hopes

Psalm 42:5 Why are thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

We can talk encouraging words to our self (soul). We can ask ourself, ”Why are you depressed? Don’t you remember that you were baptized into Christ and gloriously saved by Jesus?” Change your attitude by forgetting your sin and misfortune, and remembering God and His blessings. Hope in God. Focus on His love that sent His Son and His mercy that forgives sin, takes away death, and gives His righteousness and life. Give your hopes and fears to Jesus, and let them go to give place to the promises of God. Nothing is stronger than true hope.

You will be discouraged by looking within to the self, but you will be encouraged by looking without to the Savior. His hope does not disappoint, but fills the emptiness, fulfills the longing, and lifts up the downcast soul. We may ask the question, “Why am I down?,” but be sure to solve the feeling by hearing the helpful answer: Hope in God!