In the book of Psalms, we see a dramatic shift of emotions from David. In one chapter he is praising God and filled with joy, then in the very next his spirit is dejected, and mood soured. How many of us have felt that way at one time or another. We have days of joy and exuberance and then next we are down and weary from the trials of life. But David reminded himself to find joy in the Lord.
“Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again – my Savior and my God!” -Psalm 42:11
What a powerful reminder. Our emotions will lie to us and try to steal our focus off what really matters and put our focus on the things that are completely out of our control. Open your mouth and praise Him in the midst of your sorrow, in the midst of your chaos, in the midst of your joy, in the midst of your mountain top moments. No matter what’s going on around you begin to proclaim His goodness over your life and I promise you it will change the way you see the world around you and your current circumstance. There is nothing our God cannot do friends and no mountain to high or valley too deep to keep His love and mercy from reaching you. His love is everlasting!
Something incredible happens when we take our focus off the things of this world and fix it back on the one that really matters. Just like David experienced emotional highs and lows, I'm willing to bet that many of us often find ourselves in the same situation. We have ups and downs. I know I do, probably more often than I care to admit. It's okay to feel emotions, what's important is that we don't allow them to steal our focus away from the plan and purposes of God on our lives.
Which I know is easier said than done, but remember if God is for you who can be against you. I love the statement David makes in the very next chapter, while crying out to God he flips his dejected cry around and declares to his spirit that he will praise the Lord no matter the circumstance.
"Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountains, to the place where you dwell. Then I will go to the alter of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God." - Psalm 43:3-4
Something I think we too often forget is that our emotions do not have to control us. Just like David reminded his spirit who God is and all God has done for him we can do the same in our own lives. When we feel down we can remind ourselves who our God is and what He has done for us. I challenge you to consider that thought the next time you find yourself drowning in emotions. Put your focus back where it belongs and remind yourself who our God is.
Our emotions lie to us and will steal our joy and hope, but our God is a miracle working God. He is enough no matter the season! While our emotions lie to us our God never will! He is good and He is kind!
Much love friends,
Alianna