Why are you 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.

This is one of my most favored Psalms of all-time. It has a humble and longing posture that is most important to anyone who truly wants to know and experience God. The idea of running after or seeking after God is exciting and adventurous. To me, His ways are past finding out, and you might be surprise about what you might discover about Him as you attempt to seek more of Him.

Therefore, for the soul to truly live and thrive, and experience God in meaningful ways, one must understand the things that keep the soul alive and thriving and fight the things that try to hinder it. Because the soul is easily cast down. It easily loses hope and is easily troubled. So here are a few things to consider:

1. A sustained hunger and thirst for God through shouts of worship and praise (verse 1 and 11 – As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you; I shall again praise him, ), an unwavering hope (verse 5-Hope in God), prayer without ceasing (verse 8-a prayer to the God of my life), remembering His unfailing love ( verse 8-he commands his steadfast love), rest in the joy of your salvation (verse 11-my salvation and my God), finally, an increasing weight of His glory and anointing (verse 7-all your breakers and your waves have gone over me).
2. Fight the things that hinder the soul from living and thriving – “When shall I come and appear before God?”- Anytime. “Where is your God?”- Right where you are. “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?” Yeah – Why? “Why have you forgotten me?” – You know God will never do that. “Why do I go mourning… because of the oppression of the enemy?” – Come On!

I find His presence through worship, praise

I find Him when I am desperately seeking after Him

I find hope in him even in hopeless situations

I know His love is unending… unfailing

My prayer draws me closer

I find rest for my soul

Oh the joy of my salvation!

The weight of His Glory/Anointing/ Spirit comes gushing in when I let Him flow down in my valley like a waterfall

All these things I can experience right here, right now, so why are you downcast within me Soul? Embrace the things that bring you life and fight the things that bring drought.