Psalm 42:1-5  “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng. Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Saviour and my God.”

Everybody has goals and dreams, and when they don’t come true, we get disappointed. As long as we don’t allow it to turn into paralysing dread, there’s nothing wrong with feeling this emotion. Such a mindset can cause us to let our circumstances rule us, which can result in bad actions.

For instance, if we feel like God has let us down, we could get furious with Him. When that is the case, we are effectively arguing that the Lord ought to have handled the matter in the way we would have preferred. Do you recognise the arrogance in such thinking? He certainly doesn’t anticipate us to be content despite our difficulties.

Despite how challenging it may be, we must submit to His sovereign rule and acknowledge that He has authority over both our joys and our sorrows. This mindset is made feasible once we understand that everything that occurs is planned for our benefit so that we can grow closer to Christ.

Turn your attention away from your circumstance and onto the Lord when life throws you a severe blow and your soul is in despair. Put your trust in Him, understanding that trials and pain are passing experiences. Hopefully soon you will praise Him gladly once more on this planet, as all of His children will do forever in paradise.