Welcome to Berean Calvary Chapel

One of the most beautiful things about Psalm 43 is that the psalmist talks to himself.

He recognizes that his soul is discouraged, and then he reminds himself where his hope belongs.

“Hope in God.”

We all have moments when our emotions begin telling us a story that isn’t necessarily true.

It’s never going to change.

God isn’t listening.

There’s no way forward.

Everything is falling apart

The psalmist answers those thoughts with truth:

“I shall yet praise Him.”

Notice the word yet.

He isn’t necessarily praising because everything has already been fixed.

He’s praising because he believes God is still worthy of praise.

That’s faith.

We have a choice about what we allow to dominate our hearts.

We can allow discouragement to define us, or we can turn our eyes toward God.

We can choose life.

We can choose hope.

We can choose to remember God’s goodness even while we’re walking through difficulty.

The circumstances may not change immediately.

But our response can change today.

Reflect

• What has been pulling your heart toward discouragement?
• What promise or truth about God can you remind yourself of today?
• What would it mean for you to “choose hope” this week?

Prayer

God,

Sometimes my soul becomes discouraged before I even realize what is happening.

Help me recognize when I am allowing fear, disappointment, or frustration to control my thoughts.

Remind me that You are still God.

Help me choose hope.

Help me choose joy.

Help me praise You before I see the answer.

Amen.

Today’s Challenge

When a discouraging thought comes today, answer it with a truth about God.

Instead of:

“I can’t handle this.”

Say:

“God is my strength.”

Instead of:

“There’s no hope.”

Say:

“I will hope in God.”