Day 66 with David: Sometimes you’ve just got to talk to yourself.

“Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭43:5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

I clearly remember how it looked on the many occasions my father spoke of how he dealt with disciplining himself. Generally within the context of talking about discouragement, he would say, “I grab Harry Mushegan by the nape of the neck and I take him to the altar; and I hold onto the horns of the altar until I get right!” As he was speaking these words, he illustrated by reaching behind his neck, grabbing the collar of his shirt and his suit coat, and pulling up on it. I remember how he would look with his suit coat pulled up so high that you could see the pockets on the back of his pants. Looking back on that illustration I realize how important that practice was in his life. I also realize that that practice made a huge difference between him and a lot of other people in the ministry who did not self-discipline. For that matter, it made a difference between him and the scores of people everywhere who allow themselves to surrender to major funks, thinking they have no choice but to keep sliding until they hit bottom.

Many years ago I struggled with panic attacks. Various things can contribute to a panic attack; there are physical, as well as mental, triggers. Of course I did the physical things I could do to reduce the risk of a panic attack. But real victory only came as I began to use the word of God on myself; I encouraged myself in the Lord. Although it sounds so obvious that we should use the word of God on ourselves, in fact, many people don’t even think of doing it. I guess we assume that knowing what God has said, and having instructed others as to what God has said, somehow automatically applies it to our own lives. But that is not the case.

God has given us His word as a tool to be used, not as slogan material, to be recited, but never received.

In our portion from Psalms today we see David speaking to his own soul, challenging the fact that he was feeling cast down. Additionally, he instructs his soul to find its hope in the Lord. Encouraging himself in the Lord (reminding himself of the goodness and mercy of God), was a major part of David’s life as illustrated here:

“Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.”

‭‭I Samuel‬ ‭30:6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Basically, every day presents opportunities for you to choose between taking a trip down the slide of despair or climbing up the stairs built with God‘s word. It may seem easier just to go on down that slide today; but you won’t like it when you get to the bottom!

For today let us know and understand what David knew:

Sometimes you’ve just got to talk to yourself.

#100dayswithdavid