When the morning darkness weighs heavy and your soul feels distant from joy, Psalm 42 offers a sacred strategy: remember. In this episode, we dive into what it means to stir up your soul with truth when your heart feels downcast. From spiritual amnesia to determined hope, you'll discover how recalling God's past faithfulness can ignite light in your present darkness—and anchor you in unshakeable peace.

What You’ll Learn (Key Takeaways):

• Why spiritual discouragement often greets us in the morning—and how to face it
• How to follow the psalmist’s example of confronting feelings with truth
• The power of remembering God's past faithfulness in dark moments
• Practical ways to stir your soul toward praise and hope
• Why praising God in advance shifts your mindset and renews your strength

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Full Transcript Below:

Stir Up Your Soul

By Megan J. Conner

Each morning, I stumble out of bed in total darkness. I am an early riser so most mornings I am up well before sunrise. This routine is not a natural tendency, rather, it is a proactive choice to rouse my soul out of darkness and into the light. Even when I fall asleep the night before with peaceful assurance and confidence of faith, somehow, my heart greets the new day with apprehension and even dread. It’s almost as if the natural darkness shrouds my spirit and snuffs out my ability to recall the light.

Why is that? Why is darkness so much easier to accept than the promise of light? Why are our minds and hearts so easily consumed by negative projections of bleakness rather than a fixation on optimistic anticipation? When we read through today’s scripture in Psalm 42, we can see this is not a new experience for believers.

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?”

Here, the author is clearly dealing with spiritual angst and questions why there is such a disconnect between the mind and the heart. Why must they be at conflict with one another? He knows the truth of God’s goodness, but his heart struggles to follow suit. Though at war with one another, the psalmist doesn’t crumble in defeat. He does not allow his feelings to dictate truth. Instead, he boldly places his confidence in what is unseen rather than what is seen.

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God,” (Ps. 42:5, NIV).

Perhaps you find yourself greeting the day with this same apprehension. How can you press through the fog of angst and beckon your soul to look beyond the darkness? You make a choice - an intentional, determined choice to believe the truth over your emotions and circumstances. Like the psalmist, we can force ourselves to remember that which night has caused us to forget.

“These things I remember,
as I pour out my soul:
how I would go with the throng
and lead them in procession to the house of God
with glad shouts and songs of praise,
a multitude keeping festival.” v. 4 (ESV)

Though his soul is weary and downcast at this specific moment, the author recalls seasons when God’s nearness and goodness were evident and joy came easily. He also reminds himself of the Lord’s presence and work.

“My soul is cast down within me;
therefore I remember you
from the land of Jordan and of Hermon,
from Mount Mizar.” v. 6 (ESV)

With each recollection, the battle for peace, assurance, and hope is won. 

“Why, my soul, are you downcast?

Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God,

for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

If you find yourself greeting today in darkness, join me as we declare what we know to be true rather than what we see before us. Before we know it, that first glimmer of sunrise will break through the darkness. We will see light. We will feel light. Then, we will take that first deep breath and our souls will soar. 

We will yet praise Him!

This is the day the Lord has made.

We WILL rejoice and be glad in it

(Ps. 118:24)

Intersecting Faith & Life:

Do you greet the day with joy or apprehension? Are there times when you feel as if you are surrounded by darkness and cannot see the light? If so, are you able to identify why your soul is downcast? Perhaps there are hurts or hardships that are weighing you down with doubt or confusion. 

Like the psalmist in our passage today, look back through your life and recall moments where you clearly saw God’s goodness and provision at work. Write down each one in a journal or in your notes on your phone. Then, find a few key scriptures that remind you of God’s truths and promises to combat the doubts, fears, or worries you are facing.  The Bible says: 

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart,” (Heb. 4:12, NIV).

  The truth of God’s Word, and the evidence of His work in your life are the keys to peace and freedom from the lies of darkness. Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12). Intentionally choose to step into His light today. Choose to praise Him.

Further Reading:

Ps. 42

John 8:12

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