By David ReayWednesday 24 Mar 2021LifeWords DevotionalsDevotionsReading Time: 2 minutes
Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—
my Savior and my God!
Now I am deeply discouraged,
but I will remember you—
even from distant Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan,
from the land of Mount Mizar. (NLT)
Many of us talk to ourselves. Children do it a lot, but some of we adults continue with the practice. No great harm in it as long as what we say to ourselves is not in itself harmful. Each of us has internalised beliefs that shape or misshape our lives. Each of us carries on some sort of inner dialogue with ourselves, reflecting, pondering, worrying, resolving.
We might find ourselves telling ourselves it is all hopeless, or that we cannot cope. This sort of self-talk can paralyse us, cause us to give up. Then again, there is a more positive sort of self-talk that amounts to silent or quiet prayer. The Psalmist shows us both sorts of self-talk in our text today.
He is discouraged and admits it to himself. But he also tells himself he will commit himself to God. He tells himself he will focus on the great works of God rather than his threatening circumstances. The negative self-talk is replaced by the positive self-talk.
Elsewhere, the Bible speaks of taking every thought captive. Meaning we round up the dangerous and threatening lies and put them behind bars. We are then free to talk to ourselves of truth and grace and faith. Words from the Spirit of God, not from his great adversary. Shouted lies and misleading half-truths are replaced by the still small voice that speaks strength to our failing hearts.
Blessings
David