Life can sometimes throw us with unexpected situations, leaving us feeling out of our depth. We all face challenges, whether it's the weight of responsibilities, a storm of unforeseen setbacks, or the whirlwind of daily struggles. But here's the thing: we have a timeless help, a fountain of wisdom to draw upon in the midst of those struggles. Our text today can be found in Psalms 42, a passage that gives us guidance when we're caught in life's storms.

1. NAVIGATING
Life's Struggles
Psalm 42

2. Life can sometimes throw us with unexpected
situations, leaving us feeling out of our depth.
We all face challenges, whether it's the weight of
responsibilities, a storm of unforeseen
setbacks, or the whirlwind of daily struggles. But
here's the thing: we have a timeless help, a
fountain of wisdom to draw upon in the midst
of those struggles. Our text today can be found
in Psalms 42, a passage that gives us guidance
when we're caught in life's storms.
Introduction

3. ACKNOWLEDGE
YOUR LONGING
Psalm 42:1-3

4. 1: As the deer pants for streams of
water, so my soul pants for you,
my God.
2: My soul thirsts for God, for the
living God. When can I go and
meet with God?
3: My tears have been my food day
and night, while people say to me
all day long, 'Where is your God?'"

5. We can discover fulfillment and
nourishment for our souls by
actively seeking God. These
verses encourage us to
purposefully set aside time for
prayer, meditation, and seeking
God intentionally, even in the
midst of life's hardships.

6. Embrace Authenticity in Prayer:
We can put this into practice by
honestly expressing our longings,
questions, and challenges in
prayer.
Develop a Habit of Seeking God:
Just as the psalmist yearned to
"meet with God," we should actively
seek God in our daily lives.

7. REMEMBER THE
GOODNESS OF GOD
Psalm 42:4-8

8. 4: "These things I remember as I pour
out my soul: how I used to go to the
house of God under the protection of
the Mighty One with shouts of joy and
praise among the festive throng."
5: "Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me? Put your
hope in God, for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God."

9. 6: "My soul is downcast within me;
therefore, I will remember you from
the land of the Jordan, the heights of
Hermon—from Mount Mizar."
7: "Deep calls to deep in the roar of
your waterfalls; all your waves and
breakers have swept over me."
8: "By day the Lord directs his love, at
night his song is with me—a prayer to
the God of my life."

10. Regardless of life's ups and downs,
God's love remains unchanging. The
choice of the psalmist to recall God's
goodness is a significant lesson. It tells
us that remembering past instances
of God's faithfulness can give a
source of hope in difficult times.
Our recollections of God's goodness
can help us get through tough times.

11. Recall Past Spiritual Milestones: Just as
the psalmist remembered the joy and
praise in the house of God, we should recall
our own spiritual milestones.
Talk to Your Own Soul: Just as the
psalmist addressed his soul, encourage
yourself to hope in God.
Maintain a Continuous Connection:
Keep an ongoing conversation with God,
turning to Him not only in moments of crisis
but also in everyday life.

12. FIND HOPE
IN GOD
Psalm 42:9-11

13. 9: "I say to God my Rock, 'Why have
you forgotten me? Why must I go about
mourning, oppressed by the enemy?'"
10: "My bones suffer mortal agony as
my foes taunt me, saying to me all day
long, 'Where is your God?'"
11: "Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me? Put your
hope in God, for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God."

14. When life is difficult, there is
hope in God. This encourages
believers to be honest about their
feelings, to find comfort and hope
in worship, and to trust that God
can restore their souls in
moments of sadness and despair.

15. Active Choice for Hope: Instead of
being consumed by despair, we can
decide to hold on to the hope that
God remains our ultimate source of
strength, guidance, and comfort.
Resolve to Praise: Following the
psalmist's example, even in our
darkest moments, we can make a
conscious decision to praise and
worship God.

16. Our faith journey, like the psalmist's, can
take us through deep valleys and to
joyous peaks. We can acknowledge our
longings along the path, remember the
goodness of our faithful God, and
eventually find hope in Him.
"The way to forget our miseries, is to
remember the God of our mercies."