Why Are You Downcast, O My Soul?

“Why are you downcast, O my soul?”

What a question! And if were we to answer it, what would we say? This reason, that reason? And if we listed reasons, how real would they be? How fair? How balanced? How reflective of real life would they be? This might be a useful exercise – if you are feeling down, write down the reasons why this might be so. Then look at each one and ask, “Is this really the case?” Then look at the good things in your life. This may not necessarily change your mood. You may still feel down in spite of focussing of the positive. But it will at least prove to you that good is there.  It will help your mind to refocus, even if it doesn’t necessarily translate into your emotions straight away.

Another possible answer to the question is, “I don’t know”. I don’t know why I’m feeling miserable! I can see the good things and be focussed on them but I feel down in spite of it. We all have times like that, but if it is persistent, then a trip to the doctor to get checked for depression (or not) would be a good way to go.

Whatever reason or lack of reason you come up with, this is important to note:  is this constant and long-term or is it just a one-off and occasional thing? If it’s only occasional, they maybe just write it off as a bad day and don’t attribute too much significance to it. If it’s always there and has been for a while, seek help.

If you are a Christian, put your hope in God and keep praising Him. Read Psalm 42 and 43. The writer is having an awful time but chooses to stick with God. Not due to “blind faith” but because he has known God’s favour in the past. He feels God has forgotten him now but remembers how it used to be and this gives him hope. Whether you are a Christian or not, in the midst of trouble you can look back at good times and recognise that the bad times could be temporary.