Several years ago, I went to a local fair with a friend and her parents. My friend’s dad challenged us to ride the roller coaster that went upside down. Loving roller coasters, I jumped at the chance while my friend chose to stay back with her mom.Once seated, I prepared myself by ensuring I was strapped in. I should mention that this was back when only a bar across the lap secured you in place. Once the ride started, I was sure I was in for a great time…then came the first loop; flipping upside down, sheer terror shot through my body. I quickly lost confidence in the lap bar that once seemed so secure; I was certain I wouldn’t make it out of the second loop alive. Piercing screams repeatedly shot of my mouth as the laugh of my friend’s dad seemed to mock me as we rapidly flew in and out of the loops.
When the nightmare finally came to an end, I eagerly got back on stable ground and waited five years to ride another upside down roller coaster.
The exiled psalmist of Psalm 42 may never have been on a roller coaster, but no doubt he knew what it felt like; his emotions have been on one. The psalmist started off rather depressed, but managed to encourage himself. However, circumstances have once again overwhelmed him and his emotions take another dive.
The exiled psalmist of Psalm 42 may never have been on a roller coaster, but no doubt he knew what it felt like; his emotions have been on one. The psalmist started off rather depressed, but managed to encourage himself. However, circumstances have once again overwhelmed him and his emotions take another dive.
I say to God my Rock, "Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?"
My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me,
saying to me all day long "Where is your God?"
saying to me all day long "Where is your God?"
~Psalm 42:9-10
Hearing the laughter and mockery of his enemy, the taunts chill the psalmist to the bone. As he cries out to God over what feels like abandonment, he calls God his rock. Deep down, he knows that God is the strong bar of security in the mist of the ups and downs of his life.
In spite of current popular teaching on positive thinking, know that it is natural to have ups and downs during difficult times. It doesn’t make you less spiritual. The key is to keep fighting the fight.
Once again, the psalmist refuses to stay discouraged as he repeats his earlier words of encouragement to himself:
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.
~Psalm 42:11
As you ride your own roller coaster, keep the words of the psalmist in your heart and declare it throughout the long ride. Remember that God will keep you strapped in during those crazy loops.
Blessings,
Stephanie
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4 comments:
I think that being on the roller coaster is much better than the merry-go-round. Scarier, but better.
I'm sure this ministers to others, too, but it sure seems like what your insight to Psalms 42 is for us. It's exactly what we have been going through. It's confirmation and encouragement.
Thank you, Stephanie.
Devita (and Ross)
I've done the merry-go-round thing before and I don't plan on riding it again.
Devita, I'm glad you've been encouraged from the blogs.
Take care.
Wow, great description of my walk with Christ. It was so simple the first 9 years, even when my circumstances were in upheaval. Since then the relationship has grown, but the upside-down times on the roller coaster of life constitute 90% of each year while the straight, smooth run only 10%.
Still, God never changes and is always the same when I turn it all over to him.
Blessings & thanks for sharing your insight and wisdom.
Christine Carter
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