Texoma Living Well Magazine March/April 2018 | Page 19

Needs Encouragement By Michelle Wallace weary, lose heart and possibly get stuck, even when spring has arrived. So it’s important to try to identify where you are in life. In Psalm 42 the psalmist asks an interesting ques- tion. Why are you downcast, my soul? Then speaks to him- self and strengthens himself with the greatest answer. Why are you downcast? Put your hope in God. The life of David is a great example. 1 Samuel 30:6 tells us when David was alone, he “strengthened himself in the Lord his God”. This wasn’t a small thing. At one point he had been rejected by everyone. Before becoming king he was rejected by the reigning king. He was rejected by fam- ily, friends and the entire nation turned against him. But he knew one who would never reject him. And in moments of great despair David strengthened himself in God’s unfail- ing, never ending love. Now, maybe you’ve been rejected by men. Like David, it’s important to forgive. His promotion and breakthrough were a result of becoming unoffendable. Sometimes we are downcast because we’re bitter or offended. Forgiveness is a great key to healing. Of course we couldn’t look at the psalms without seeing another key from the life of David. He was a man of praise and worship. Gratitude will launch you into the greatest victory! But what if you don’t feel like it. Well, I say fake it till you make it! Listen to the words of Psalm 42 from The Passion Translation. So I speak over my heartbroken soul, “Take courage, remember when you used to be right out front leading the procession of praise when the great crowd of wor- shipers gathered to go into the presence of the Lord? You shouted with joy as the sound of passionate celebration filled the air and the joyous multitude of lovers honored the festival of the Lord!” So then, my soul, why would you be depressed? Why would you sink into despair? Just keep hoping and waiting on God, your Savior. For no matter what, I will still sing with praise, for living before his face is my saving grace! Here I am depressed and downcast. Yet I will still remember you as I ponder the place where your glory streams down from the mighty mountaintops, lofty and majestic – the mountains of your awesome presence. To learn more about Michelle and see what she’s up to, visit her page on Facebook at “Michelle Wallace-Hand of the King”.