Remember God (Daily Encouragement)
“Why are 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.. My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember you.” – Psalm 42:5-6
We see a wonderful picture of the Psalmist not ignoring his emotions – being emotionless – or letting his emotions drive him to complete despair – being over-emotional. Instead, he is honest about his emotions and uses them as a “wonderful opportunity to know God”. When we do this, it changes us. Instead of ignoring challenging circumstances (and being emotionless) or being consumed by our circumstances (and being over-emotional), the Psalmist “remembers God” who is a refuge in the midst of all circumstances. This brings rest, hope and praise.
Ignoring our emotions is turning our back on reality; listening to our emotions ushers us into reality. And reality is where we meet God…Emotions are the language of the soul. They are the cry that gives the heart a voice…However, we often turn a deaf ear – through emotional denial, distortion, or disengagement. We strain out anything disturbing in order to gain tenuous control of our inner world. We are frightened and ashamed of what leaks into our consciousness. In neglecting our intense emotions, we are false to ourselves and lose a wonderful opportunity to know God. We forget that change comes through brutal honesty and vulnerability before God. – Dan Allendar & Tremper Longman, The Cry of the Soul
Where do you tend to lean: emotionless or over-emotional? How does remembering God bring change and a right balance to our emotions?