Holding on to Peace in the Midst of Struggle

 Beloved, life has its moments of trial, heartache, and uncertainty. There are seasons when peace seems elusive, and our hearts grow heavy with burdens. The psalmist in Psalm 42:5, 42:11, and 43:5 echoes this sentiment with a question many of us have asked ourselves: "Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence." These verses remind us that even in our darkest moments, peace is available through the steadfast hope we have in God.

Today, we will reflect on what it means to experience God’s peace when our souls are restless. Let’s explore how we can navigate difficult times and return to that place of calm, assured that God’s presence is near.

1. Acknowledge the Despair, but Don’t Stay There

It’s important to start by acknowledging the reality of our struggles. Just as the psalmist poured out his soul before God, we too must confront the distress we feel. The psalmist didn’t ignore his pain; he expressed it openly. There is power in naming what disturbs our peace.

However, we must also take note of the shift in the psalmist’s tone. He doesn’t dwell in despair. Instead, he instructs his soul to “hope in God.” This is a call to action for all of us. Yes, acknowledge the weight of your sorrow, but refuse to be consumed by it. Choose to turn your focus to God, who is the source of true and lasting peace.

Beloved, peace doesn’t come from ignoring our troubles. It comes from surrendering them to God and trusting Him to carry us through. As you navigate difficult seasons, remember that your feelings of despair are not permanent. God’s peace is a gift that transcends every trial.

2. Shift Your Focus from the Problem to God’s Presence

One of the key lessons from Psalm 42 and 43 is the importance of refocusing on God. In each verse, the psalmist repeats, “Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him.” This is a reminder that no matter how overwhelming our problems may seem, God’s presence remains constant.

It’s easy to become so consumed by what’s wrong in our lives that we lose sight of God’s goodness. When we focus on the problems, we magnify them, and our peace slips away. But when we shift our focus to God, we remember that He is greater than any situation we face.

Dear friends, take time to sit in God’s presence. In moments of anxiety or fear, quiet your heart and invite the Holy Spirit to remind you of God’s faithfulness. You may not have all the answers, and the storm may not immediately cease, but the peace of knowing that God is with you will be a firm anchor for your soul.

3. Praise Your Way Back to Peace

The psalmist speaks of praising God even before his circumstances have changed. He declares, “I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence.” This is a profound act of faith. To praise God in the middle of difficulty is to say, “I trust that You are still good, even when life is not.”

Praise is a powerful weapon against despair. It shifts our focus off our troubles and onto God’s ability to deliver us. When you worship, your spirit is reminded of who God is—faithful, loving, and ever-present. This, in turn, brings peace that surpasses understanding.

Beloved, if your soul is weary today, choose to worship. Sing songs of faith, meditate on His promises, and speak words of thanksgiving. As you praise God, you will find that His peace begins to fill the spaces where anxiety once lived.

As we reflect on Psalm 42:5, 42:11, and 43:5, we see that peace is not the absence of trouble; it is the presence of God in the midst of it. The psalmist shows us that even when our souls are disturbed, we have a choice: to stay in despair or to hope in God. By acknowledging our struggles, shifting our focus to God’s presence, and praising Him, we open our hearts to receive the peace that only He can give.

When Your Soul Feels Disquieted

 Beloved, I received a phone call this week from a dear member of our church family. With a heavy heart, they shared how they had been feeling overwhelmed by sadness, unable to figure things out, and struggling to make sense of their emotions. As I listened, I could sense their deep weariness. It was in that moment that God brought three powerful verses to my mind—Psalm 42:5, 42:11, and 43:5.

In these passages, David asks, "Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence." What struck me about these verses was how David, though feeling deeply troubled, speaks to his own soul, reminding himself to hope in God despite the turmoil inside.

As I shared these scriptures with them, I could feel the Holy Spirit’s peace begin to fill the conversation. David’s words are not unfamiliar to any of us, are they? We’ve all had moments when our souls felt disquieted, when sadness clouded our hearts, and we couldn’t seem to make sense of our emotions. Yet, David gives us a powerful example: even when we don’t have all the answers, we can still hope in God and trust that we will praise Him again.

After our conversation, I felt led to write this post to remind all of us that it’s okay to feel what we’re feeling. Life can be overwhelming at times. But don’t allow your soul to stay in that place of despair. Speak truth to yourself—tell your soul to hope in God. His presence is the answer, and He will help you through the storm. (Read the post here.)

If you’re feeling sad today, remember this: God is near. Just as David reminded himself, we too can turn to God in our times of distress. He is faithful, and His peace will guard our hearts.