Psalm 43:5

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.

Do you ever talk to yourself? If not, you should try it. It turns out it’s not only helpful, it’s biblical to talk to yourself. Psalm 43 shows us how David did it, and gives us insight into both WHY He did, and HOW he did it.

David was going through a rough patch, and part of the way he got through that difficult time was to talk to himself. He starts with asking himself a question…

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?

The question reveals that David was self-aware. He recognized the angst that was churning inside his own chest and he wasn’t afraid to admit it to himself. But right alongside his awareness of feeling “cast down” was his understanding of who his God was.

Faithful. Unfailing. Worth waiting on.

When you have a God like that, the waiting can be OK. In fact, it can be more than “OK,” it can be a time of rich internal blessing as you discover that your fear doesn’t have to rule the day. Your faith (belief that God IS faithful, unfailing, worth waiting on) can take charge and tell your mind to think on such things (Philippians 4:8). Even out loud if you have to.

So as you seek God today, don’t be afraid of the fears, discouragement, doubts, and all the emotion that comes along with such things. Admit them, call them out. Label them for what they are. Then, tell yourself the truth. God is still God and HE is your salvation.

-Pastor Carey