Lisa Anderson | Director of Young Adults

This week’s sermon at church was from Psalm 42. The title: “When to Talk to Yourself.” The point: Too often we listen to ourselves when we should be talking to ourselves. What happens when we listen to and believe ourselves instead of listening to and believing God? Nothing good. In short, we get wrapped up in fear, anxiety, unbelief, blame, shame and a host of other negative and disastrous thought patterns.

The antidote is presented at the end of the psalm: “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again — my Savior and my God!” (v. 11) Telling myself truth, even when circumstances are grim, is the only way to see straight. It’s the only way to soldier on with any kind of hope for the future. Why? Because I’m not counting on my messed up self and perspective, but on the perfectly powerful and wise perspective of a loving God. My pastor also mentioned that in order to speak and receive truth, we need to be rested and fed (hangry = slippery slope) (vv. 2-3) as well as honest and realistic about our struggles (vv. 6-9).

So preach the gospel to yourself every day. You’re never too old or too spiritually mature to need it. And if you can barely keep your head above water to begin with, maybe you need to make room for God to speak. Check out Bry’s life decluttering post to get started there. And while you’re at it, take a deep breath and get a snack. And maybe a nap.

Preview of Next Week:

On the Show – National Climb a Mountain Day, a guy’s girlfriend hangs out with her gay friends, and being a killer aunt or uncle

On the Site – How to step out of the shadow of your parents’ divorce, cherishing femininity, and chasing the feeling of God rather than seeking God himself