This is my anguish; but I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High. I will remember the works of the Lord; surely I will remember Your wonders of old. I will also meditate on all Your work, and talk of Your deeds. -Psalm 77:10-12                            

In the midst of this life’s ups and downs, we can sometimes find ourselves struggling with discouragement or depression. We may even question whether God is present and active in our lives.  

In Psalm 77:2-3, we get a picture of the psalmist Asaph wrestling with similar doubts. As he later reflected on his experience, he said, “My soul refused to be comforted. I remembered God and was troubled. I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed.” He spends the next several verses talking about how he questioned God. But in the midst of his discouragement and pain, he begins to find strength in the unfailing promises of God.

In verses 10 through 12, he focuses his thoughts on God’s past faithfulness as a source of hope for the present and future. He looks beyond his current situation and chooses to meditate on what God has done in the past. That is where he finds reassurance that the same God who performed miraculous deeds in the past was still at work today.

When we experience anxiety or depression, we too can find comfort and reassurance in reflecting on God’s history of faithfulness. Just like the psalmist remembered the miracles of God, we can choose to meditate on the countless times God intervened on behalf of His people, both in Scripture and in our own lives. From parting the Red Sea to providing for our daily needs, God has a plan and He is faithful!

So when you find yourself in a place of discouragement or depression, don’t let yourself stay there. Remember to meditate on God’s past works and be reminded of His unchanging nature. The God who performed miracles thousands of years ago is the same God who walks with us today. He is ever-present, offering comfort and strength to His children in every season of life.