When You Feel Down

“We will stand in your presence…cry out to you…and you will hear us and save us.” 2Ch 20:9 NIV

A parishioner asked his pastor, “Do you ever feel down?” “Sure,” he responded. “What do you do about it?” the parishioner said. “I get up again. Being down isn’t my problem—staying down is. I’m either up, or I’m getting up. I’ve learned not to park in between.” Although feeling down is universal, sociologists warn us to guard against its two most common causes: fear and fatigue. Let’s look at them:
Fear: When Edomite armies marched against Israel’s king, fear gripped him and his nation. Feeling powerless, they feared losing their God-given land and possessions. If the stress of the last few years has left you feeling fearful, do what Israel’s king did. He turned to God and prayed: “Whenever we are faced with any calamity…we can…stand in your presence…We can cry out to you…and you will hear us and rescue us” (v. 9 NLT). Don’t let fear cause you to abandon your hope and your vision. Instead, stand in God’s presence, cry out to Him, and watch Him rescue you. Throughout the Old Testament God reminded Israel of His track record of goodness. He wanted them to remember it and take courage. But sometimes fear would cloud their memory and they’d begin to doubt. Sound familiar? So He told them, “Do not be…discouraged…the battle is not yours, but [mine]” (v. 15 NIV). In other words, “You don’t have to defeat the foe, that’s My job. I’m in charge; trust Me to work it out.” So remember Who’s in control of your circumstances today. Stand in His presence; believe His promise!