Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God. (Psalm 42:11)
What do you do when depression and anxiety flood your heart? How do you respond when you feel that you can barely get out of bed to absorb whatever the day has for you? The psalmist understood this feeling. He life was dry (v2) and his tears were many (v3). Three times he identifies how defeated he felt in his soul. The psalmist does not hide how he’s feeling, but he also doesn’t let it control him.
One of the ways he responds to despair is to speak to himself. Martyn-Lloyd Jones calls it “talking to yourself.” The psalmist recognizes what he’s feeling, the circumstances he’s going through, but then encourages himself to “hope in God.” Sometimes, there aren’t people around us to encourage us to Jesus, especially in the times we are living in. So, we need to remind ourselves of the truths we possess because of Christ. He will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:4). He pours love into your heart through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). He sings over you, His people (Zephaniah 3:17). Don’t let your initial thoughts define your perception today. Instead, choose to believe God’s good truths about you by preaching them to yourself.