When It's Not Well With Your Soul!

The other breakout session "workshop session" I attended at our women's retreat this month was "what to do when it's not well with your soul". That's a lot to disect and take in and chew on, especially in this sin sick world we are living in. I am reminded of this scripture.

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God…” — Psalm 42:11

I love the hymn: “It is well (with my soul).” But what do you do when, if you’re being truthful, it’s not well with your soul?

There are seasons when you can love God, trust God, and still feel very weary inside. Your heart can be heavy. Your mind can be overwhelmed. You can pray and still have questions. You can worship and still have tears.

David understood this. He actually spoke to his own soul: “Why art thou cast down, O my soul?”

He didn't pretend everything was okay. He acknowledged what was happening inside of him, but then he reminded his soul where his hope was: “Hope thou in God.”

When it’s not well with your soul, be honest with God. You don't have to hide your weariness from the One who already sees it. Pour out your heart to Him.

Get back into His Word. When your emotions are loud, you need the truth of God's Word to be louder. Remind yourself of who God is, not just what you are presently feeling.

Pray, even when you don't know what to say. Sometimes prayer isn't a long conversation. Sometimes it is simply, “Jesus, I need You.” And that's enough to turn your attention back toward Him.

Worship anyway. Not because everything feels good, but because God is still good. Worship shifts our eyes from what is happening around us to the One who remains faithful through it all.

And sometimes, rest. Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) You don't have to carry everything at once.

Most importantly, remember that how your soul feels today does not determine how it will feel tomorrow.

David said, “Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him.”

I shall yet. That means this isn't the end of the story. So when it's not well with your soul, don't run from God—run to Him. Be honest. Pray. Get into His Word. Worship. Rest in His presence. And keep reminding your soul:

“Hope thou in God.”

Because even when it doesn't feel well right now, the Shepherd is still there—and He still restores souls. “He restoreth my soul.” — Psalm 23:3 ❤️

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