Devotional Space for Grace | Are You in the Doldrums? (a) | 11.7

[Jim]

LOST and FOUND
Are You in the Doldrums? (a)​

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Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues?
Fix my eyes on God— soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God

Psalm 42:5, Message Bible ​

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When you are in the doldrums life just stagnates – you are going nowhere fast! In fact, we often travel faster and further in the unexpected storms of life. Turbulent times tend to strip us of self-reliance and develop patience and compassion. In such schools of affliction trials become good teachers (Rom 5:3-5).

On the other hand, we enter a becalmed period, the doldrums, when there is no wind in our sails, trapping us in despondency, putting us on hold for weeks. We can feel disconnected from logical reasoning, from any in-depth conversations and even from God. We may be unwilling to admit our sense of emptiness to anyone - after all I am a “man / woman of God”. Then while in this languishing state we decide to “get a grip” by setting new goals – only to fall at the very first hurdle, setting us even further back into deeper dejection. What do we do in the doldrums? Yes, we ought to stir ourselves to read certain Bible accounts about those who passed through such low times in their lives, like Job, Moses, Elijah and David. Of course, we should also pour our hearts out to God, even in short telegram expressions. How about confiding in a friend or counsellor, taking more physical exercise and observing first-hand the amazing creation around us? All these activities are practical steps and are strongly recommended. But above all, we need the assurance that God knows and cares, that Jesus will enter our boat and the Holy Spirit will blow life into us again.

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Don’t waste your breath blowing into the sail, it is the Spirit that energizes ​

 

[Dana]

AMEN!