How to Deal with a Downcast Soul
Adapted from Managing Your Emotions
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
You may know that the soul is comprised of the mind, the will (ability to make choices), and the emotions. According to today’s scripture, the soul can become downcast or discouraged and disturbed, just as it can be joyful and excited. When we are happy in our souls, we simply enjoy the happiness. But when we are not, we have to deal with our emotions.
Discouragement destroys hope. And without hope we give up. It also steals our joy, and the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). In addition, it robs us of our peace, and God wants us to live in peace, not feeling anxious about anything (Philippians 4:6–7). So, it’s very important for us to learn how to manage discouragement when we feel it.
When discouragement tries to overtake you or when your soul feels disturbed, begin to break free from it by examining your thoughts. What you think about and allow to take root in your mind strongly affects your emotions. Think discouraging thoughts, and you’ll get discouraged. When you change your mindset and begin to think positively, your emotions will improve.
Instead of thinking negatively, think more like this: Well, things are going slowly, but, thank God, I’m making progress. I’m on the right path. I had a rough day yesterday, but today is a new day, and God is helping me. Practice this type of upbeat, positive, godly thinking, and you will defeat the discouragement and disturbances in your soul every time.
Prayer of the Day: Thank You for loving me, Lord. Help me to think in ways that will encourage me, give me hope, and bring peace to my soul.
