Psalm 43:5, “Why art thy cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance and my God.”
This is part of a four part series on Psalm 43
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4
Last year I took a trip to Canada and spent a week in the Algonquin Provincial Park. This was a new experience for me but I was with three other “experienced” men so I was in good hands. The trip lasted seven days and we went in to the forest with 45-pound backpacks and 45-pound canoes to travel across miles and miles of lakes and trails. I learned quickly the value of carrying the weight correctly. On one long hike between two large lakes my backpack was extremely uncomfortable. As I was making the trek to the next lake my back began to hurt, my arms became numb and I didn’t have much feeling in my hands. Now, I’m no expert but I was thinking this might not be a good sign. At the end of the trail I told Tom how I was feeling and he immediately saw the problem and made a ton of adjustments to the straps and that made all the difference. Besides, this trip was challenging but it was supposed to be fun too, right?
Every day has the potential to add more weight to the load you are carrying through life. Dealing with stress at work, family problems and even a health issue can add tremendous weight to the burdens you carry. But here’s the deal… God wants to help you with that. Are you carrying so much of the burden that it’s becoming more than you can bear? Or are you in the habit of unloading the backpack of life along the way so you don’t become what Psalm 43 calls “cast down?”
Here Are The Ways A Heavy Backpack of Life Will Affect You.
- You’ll Become Spiritually Cast Down – Psalm 43:5.
You will know you are “spiritually cast down” when your spiritual life feels “heavy.” You feel more sad than happy. It’s a feeling of spiritual weakness, feeling whipped. Are you struggling to believe God will actually do what He has promised you He would do? That’s what it is to be spiritually cast down.
- You’ll Become Emotionally Drained – Psalm 43:5
The question “Why are you cast down O my soul?” is not a question you should ignore. Being cast down affects your spirit, the source of your emotional strength and joy. There are certain emotional connections you should feel with God including times of great joy over His presence, laughter that comes from the happiness He brings and even sadness when you are convicted about your sin. Do you have a healthy emotional connection with God or are you just moving along in a routine with no passion?
- You’ll Be Struggling With People – Psalm 43:5
Here’s an interesting question, “Why art thou disquieted?” To be disquieted means to growl, to murmur, to roar and to be in a turbulent. It’s the opposite of being full of peace and tranquility. Because the burdens of your life, the heaviness of your backpack, has so affected you that you are now in turbulent relationships with others. It seems that everything is bothering you and your relationships are suffering as a result.
Here’s How To Unload A Heavy Backpack of Life.
- Hope In God – Psalm 43:5 (How You Think)
Remember that God wants you to live life with patience, waiting for Him to do His work in His timing. Live with great expectations and trust in Him to take the problems and burdens of your life.
- Give Praise To God – Psalm 43:5 (How You Talk)
The phrase “to give praise” literally means to throw it at Him. Develop the habit of consistently acknowledging that God is in control and you have many things to be thankful for.
- Rely on God – Psalm 43:5 (How You Trust)
Remember that He is your strength and your deliverer; He is the source of your hope, prosperity and victory. The phrase “who is the health” of my countenance tells us that we can trust Him for everything.
- Express Your Faith – Psalm 43:5 (How You Look)
He is the health “of my countenance.” Literally, He affects my face, my personality, my physical presence and it’s impact on those around me. By choosing to call Him into the equation of how my personality and countenance is reflected in front of others, I am acknowledging that God can fill me with joy and happiness and others will see it and be blessed.
So if you are carrying a load today that feels way too heavy, why not trust God enough to unload that “backpack of life” today and let Him carry it for you?
