Dealing with Discouragement, July 21st and 2025.

Introduction.

Although the occasions can be many, there are two basic reasons for discouragement.

Internal and external.

The internal occurs when for some reason we have given way to sinful attitudes and thoughts,

and we are dealing with the consequences of that, and the external occurs when we are buffeted

by circumstances, as Job was, but without sin. And of course, it is possible to get discouraged in both

ways. If we are buffeted by external circumstances for long enough, we may give way and let the

discouragement pierce all the way

to the heart. How are we to understand this? How are we to respond to it? Why art thou cast down,

O my soul, and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou and God, for I shall yet praise him,

who is the health of my countenance and my God. Psalm 42. The first thing to note is that the psalmist presupposes that the condition

of peace is normal. He is cast down and disquieted, and he wants to know the reason why. This disturbance

of his soul is the thing that requires explanation. Why are you cast down? He asked himself,

verse 11. Whenever we are feeling fine, we don't look around for ways to fix it. But when unhappiness

comes upon us, we don't like it, because unhappy people are, well, unhappy. In the very nature

of the case, we seek to relieve pain. Pleasure is something we want to prolong or augment.

Here, whichever the sons of Cora composed this psalm shows himself to be just like the rest of us.

When we are discouraged, it is entirely normal to want out.

Second, the psalmist remonstrates with himself.

He talks to himself, which is a good alternative to listening to himself.

It is by far the better approach.

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