“Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.” Psalm 42:5

Talking To Yourself

My mom talks to herself–and the oven, the sink, the car, the sticky spot on the floor, the chickens, and whatever else seems to need a talking to. I’m finding myself doing it, too, as I get older.

No, we haven’t lost our minds. Talking to yourself is actually a concept the Bible promotes, and I’ve found it to be very helpful.

The writer of Psalm 42 demonstrates this concept. “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me?” He is talking to the deepest part of himself. He is taking inventory of his emotions, “calling a spade, a spade”, so to speak, and he takes himself to task for having sunk so low.

It’s good to step back and see a thing for what it really is. We need to know if our thoughts have deteriorated from the truth to a place of despair, because we can be blissfully unaware of how we really feel. In Psalm 42, the writer’s emotions have gone from an intense longing for God in verses one and two, to discouragement, anxiety, depression, and disquiet in verses 5-10.

I know this feeling well. Thoughts swirl seemingly out of my control, becoming random. Memory-glimpses mix with fears, losses, blame and regret. It is unsettling and difficult to re-focus.

When we get to this point, it’s time to talk to ourselves. Tell yourself that you will NOT allow circumstances to cast you down. Quote Scripture—speak the Word to yourself. Preach to yourself. Hope in God, because His presence is with you. Praise Him for what He has done in the past and His promises for the future.

To place your hope in God is a faith response. Even when you don’t see an acceptable solution, faith tells you that God is good, sovereign, and loving. He’ll do something.

Challenge every smidgen of unbelief that rears its head. Don’t allow it to dictate how you feel. If faith comes by hearing the Word of God, then hear it—even if you have to tell it to yourself.

Jesus, how we need Your Word in our lives! Remind us when our souls are cast down, that we should be talking to ourselves about Your goodness. I declare that I will hope in You, and praise You. Amen.