Gems from the Psalms – Day 8

How would you describe yourself? Joyful or jaded at what life has to offer.

In our society, there is so much that is violent, nasty and hurtful that it is easy to lose our zest for life. The mood of the times often has us fearing the worst. Media reports of vicious murders, rapes, robberies and general mayhem abound.

“Man’s inhumanity to man makes countless thousands mourn.” Those lines in a dirge written by the Scottish poet, Robert Burns, in 1784 are still very relevant today.

Losing one’s zest for life is not limited to victims of injustice. Our own real or imagined hardships may lead to our relationships with family, friends and colleagues becoming sour and joyless.

The conviction that we have been harshly treated can negatively impact and spread to all areas of our life. If we are not to spiral to the depths of depression, we need to conquer this self-defeating attitude. The Bible reminds us how.

Never forget that the Lord is God. He made us, and we belong to Him; we are his people, we are his flock. Psalms 100:3 (GNB)

There is no need to go through life with a jaundiced eye. The Sovereign Creator is also our heavenly Father, constantly caring and providing for us. That divine assurance should put a smile in our hearts, a lift in our steps and have us singing for joy. Whatever our circumstances, God is with us and always will be.