Today is a day when I’m down…. and can’t put my finger on why.  All the “check list” is done (Prayer, Scripture, Worship, Claiming the promises, etc), but I’m still not “feeling” up.  Been there?  It is written in Psalm 42:11…

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?  Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God.

From this verse I see a few things:

Sometimes we can be down and there be no particular reason!

Emotional ups and downs are a part of life… but there IS an answer.

“Hoping in God” is the proper response to emotional down times.

Hoping in God means purposefully directing our existence, well-being, and meaning in life toward God and His Truth.

Hoping in God means trusting in God and not how we “feel.”

Hoping in God means that our emotional state (However down we may be) will change for the better… (Continued)

The change for the better comes as a result of focusing on God who is the source of our being and salvation.

Now… when we’re down… how long are we to “hope in God” before we are restored?  That’s up to God Himself… and we trust His timing.  Whether it is an hour or decade… Psalm 42:11 is God’s Truth.

Now here are a few Scriptures I go to and meditate upon when I’m having a down day…

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all you heart and do not lean on your own understanding…

1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.  7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.  8 Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.  11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Matthew 7:11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desire of your heart.

Philippians 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Mark 6:31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”