Tag Archives: Psalm 43:5

When We Feel Sad

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boy looking out window Courtesy PixabayHere we are almost two weeks into 2023, and some of us might be feeling a little sad. If that’s us, what should we do?

Reasons For Our Sadness

Some of us may feel sad because of broken relationships. Or because we miss loved ones who are no longer with us.

Perhaps we feel sad because of our health or financial situation.

Maybe our sadness isn’t because of something affecting us. It is because of situations affecting our loved ones or friends.

There are many reasons why we might feel sad. Sometimes we may even feel a deep sadness, yet aren’t exactly sure why.

Overwhelmingly Sad

Overwhelmingly sad. That’s how one friend told me she felt. Overwhelmingly sad for no apparent reason. She couldn’t understand it, and didn’t like it one bit. She turned on the radio to distract herself. She tried to think positive thoughts to pull her from the sadness. Anything to stop feeling so sad. But nothing helped.

Perhaps you can identify with the oppressive weight she felt. I know I can.

Out of the Blue

Sometimes, for no apparent reason, all of a sudden we might feel sad and not understand why. Like my friend, we find ourselves spiraling deeper and deeper into a funk, despite our best efforts to do the opposite.

We’re auguring in. All the while we’re yelling, “Pull up! Pull up!”

Sometimes we know the reason for our sadness. Broken relationships. Loss. Conflict. Discouragement. Difficult decisions. Whether we know the reason or not, the sadness is real.

Why is My Heart So Sad?

In Psalm 42 and Psalm 43, within a total of 16 verses the following lines are repeated three times.

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!

As sadness enveloped David, he remembered God. He remembered the Lord who pours his unfailing love upon us. He remembered his hope is in God alone.

Our Best Defense in Times of Sadness

When sadness hits, perhaps like the psalmist, our best defense is to remember God’s provision. Remember past victories. Be specific in remembering what God has done for us. Remember what God brought us through. And keep at it for as long as it takes to turn the sadness around.

Keeping a written record of all the times God showed up and showed out in our lives makes the remembering easier and more concrete. That way, when sadness strikes, we have a record of all the times God was faithful. Armed with that knowledge, we can ask ourselves why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad?

Our Hope is in God

As it was with David when he wrote his psalms, when we feel sad, our hope is in our Savior and our God. The One to whom all our praise belongs.

Your Turn

What do you do to combat sadness when it strikes? Do you have a specific way to remember all of the time’s God proved himself faithful in your life?

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject. If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.

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 43:5 (GNT)

I wish you well.

Sandy

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How Long Will You Forget Me?

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Lately, I’ve found myself reading through the Book of Psalms. I do that when, like David, I ask, “O my soul, why be so gloomy and discouraged? Trust in God! I shall again praise him for his wondrous help; he will make me smile again, for he is my God! (Psalm 43:5 TLB)

In Psalm 13 David asks the Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you turn your face from me and allow my enemies to gloat?

David prayed for God to give him light in his darkness. David asked God to once again shine his face on him.

At the end of David’s lament, he reaffirmed his trust in God’s mercy, and thanked him for his blessings.

Have you ever felt like David did? As if the Lord has forgotten you and turned his face away? Has it seemed as if enemies, however they manifest themselves in your life, gloat over your powerlessness to defeat them?

At the time David wrote Psalm 13, he and his ragtag band of misfits lived in caves and roamed the hills trying to avoid Saul’s constant attempts to kill them.

David wasn’t afraid to pour out his hurt and pain before the Lord. He wondered why, as God’s anointed king-in-waiting, he faced such persecution and opposition while his enemies prospered.

David prayed for enlightenment. He asked God to shine his face on him. To bring insight into his problems.

During this time of world-wide confusion, unknowns, and concerns, God invites us to come to him with all our feelings, emotions, and questions. As we come, we can ask God for enlightenment, understanding, and for his face to shine into our darkness.

By coming before God with our questions, we acknowledge he alone has the answers. In those times when God delays providing answers, we are moved to trust him all the more.

After we pour out our questions and confusion before the Lord, we can trust in his mercy. We can sing praises to God because he has blessed us so richly.

We can praise God even in those times when we ask, how long will you forget me, Lord? Forever?

How have you found this to be true in your life?

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject. If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.

How long will you forget me, Lord? Forever? How long will you look the other way when I am in need? How long must I be hiding daily anguish in my heart? How long shall my enemy have the upper hand?

Answer me, O Lord my God; give me light in my darkness lest I die. Don’t let my enemies say, “We have conquered him!” Don’t let them gloat that I am down.

But I will always trust in you and in your mercy and shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord because he has blessed me so richly. Psalm 13

I wish you well.

Sandy

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You can find my May Inspire a Fire post here. Please stop by and read it.

Why Is My Heart So Sad?

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by Sandy Kirby Quandt

Overwhelmingly sad. That’s how my friend described the way she felt this past week. Overwhelmingly sad for no apparent reason. She couldn’t understand it, and didn’t like it one bit. She turned on the radio. Tried to think positive thoughts. Anything to stop feeling so sad.

Perhaps you can identify with the oppressive weight she felt. I know I can.

Sometimes for no apparent reason, all of a sudden we might feel sad and not understand why. We find ourselves spiraling deeper and deeper into a funk despite our best efforts to do the opposite.

We’re auguring in even though we’re yelling, “Pull up! Pull up!”

Sometimes we know the reason for our sadness. Broken relationships. Loss. Conflict. Discouragement. Difficult decisions.

Doesn’t matter if we know the reason or not. The sadness is real either way.

In Psalm 42 and Psalm 43 within a total of 16 verses, the following lines are repeated three times.

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!

As sadness enveloped David, he remembered God. He remembered the LORD pours his unfailing love upon us. He remembered his hope is in God alone.

When sadness hits, perhaps like the psalmist, our best defense is to remember God’s provision. Remember past victories. Be specific in remembering what God has done for us. Remember what he’s brought us through. Keep at it for as long as it takes to turn the sadness around.

Keeping a written record of all the times God showed up and showed out in our lives makes the remembering easier and more concrete. Less nebulous.

That way, when sadness strikes, we have a record of all the times God has been faithful. Armed with that knowledge, we can ask ourselves why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad?

Our hope is in God. Our Savior and our God to whom all our praise belongs.

What do you do to combat sadness when it attacks?

Leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the subject. If you think others would appreciate reading this, please share it through the social media buttons.

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 43:5

I wish you well.

Sandy

Please enter your email address on the form located on the right sidebar to sign up to receive posts every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Thanks!