Ever felt like not giving a... I have.
There is an internal battle of D words. Sometimes the battle is so intense it wages war against the very core of who we are.
Sometimes the battles we face flow from outside voices, negative attitudes and projected perceptions of who we are. Every interaction is important. How we handle those interactions are more important.
D words:
Disappointment: sad or displeased because someone or something has failed to fulfill one's hopes or dreams. (Maybe yourself, maybe others...failed expectations, life regrets).
Disheartened: made less hopeful or enthusiastic, to take the heart out of a person.
Discouraged: dis-couraged, to be deprived of courage, hope, or confidence.
Despondent: stuck in a rut, having low spirits which stems from loss of hope or of courage.
Despair: the complete loss or absence of hope.
The Psalmist understood and experienced many D words.
They also knew the solution.
Psalm 27 is one Psalm I've been reading since December. Here are some thoughts.
“I would have despaired... had a complete loss of hope...
unless...I had believed...
He chose to believe in the nature and goodness of the God he knew. He positioned himself, in the midst of his battle, for an encounter with the Hopeful, good One... the One who imparts hope, and strengthens determined faith. He believed he would see.
that I would see...experience, have a clear view of...
the goodness of the LORD...
In the land of the living.
He knew(by experience) to position himself to seek Presence through worship. He knew this focused expression of faith would help shift his mindset.
“One thing I have asked from the LORD,
that I shall seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD
And to meditate in His temple.
For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle;
In the secret place...
of His tent He will hide me;
He will lift me up on a rock.”
Psalms 27:4-5 NASB
He also knew he needed to respond to the Holy Spirit who beckoned him.
“When You said, "Seek My face," my heart said to You, "Your face, O LORD, I shall seek."” Psalms 27:8 NASB
He understood his declarations, the words he spoke, were all important. He was focused; circumspect. His confession, declaration expressed through song were joyfully specific.
“The LORD is
my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear?
The LORD is
the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread?”
Psalms 27:1 NASB
Though a host encamp against me,
My heart will not fear;
Though war arise against me,
In spite of this I shall be confident.”
Psalms 27:1, 3 NASB
And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me,
And I will offer in His tent
sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing,
yes,
I will sing praises to the LORD.” Psalms 27:6 NASB
He concludes by speaking to his-self, his idenity the core of who He knew himself to be.
Wait for the LORD;
Be strong and
let your heart
take courage;
Yes, wait for the LORD.”
Psalms 27:13-14 NASB
Positioning ourselves for Presence by waiting, declaring and worshiping can help to shift our mindset out of the D zone.
I sometimes battle the D words. David, a worshiper, wariror and king knew how to strengthen himself in the Lord. I'm positioning myself, practicing, shifting my mindset, choosing to hope, worship and believe... pushing into another D word, Destiny.
