Call it what you will. We all have those times when things seem just a little off the normal pace. The schedule may be the same or even heavier than normal, but something inside is just…off.

It may be physical, emotional, mental, spiritual. At times you may not know what the true cause is. Even David, the man after God’s own heart, had such moments. In fact, he had them more than once!

In Psalm 42:5 he wrote, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.” These very words are repeated in verse 11! Again in Psalm 43:5 we hear the familiar cry, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.”

The most spiritual believer will have times when he or she cannot understand “why” their soul is cast down. Knowing what to do at these times makes all the difference. Do what David did…

1. Talk to God about it. Tell Him your feelings and your fears. He is listening. Both Psalm 42 and 43 are prayers. At such times it is not enough to talk to yourself or even talk to others around you. Speak with the One who knows and who can do something about it.
2. Meditate on the unchanging faithfulness of God. Your hope is not in your heart; it is in the God who is greater (1 John 3:20). Don’t spend today consumed with your own thoughts and emotions. Refuse to become what one of my Bible teachers called “morbidly introspective.” Look up, not in.
3. Praise the Lord for His help and your health. Notice that David considers both God’s countenance and his own. Thank the Lord that His face is toward you. He has more than enough. You don’t have to muster up a brave face today, just spend time looking at His. In the presence of God you will have all the strength you need. As you praise Him your faith will grow.

You may need sleep. You may need fellowship. You may need a change of schedule. God will show you what practical steps to take. But your first need is just to draw near to Him.

For many years I have heard people use this phrase: “in a lull.” For me it always sounded like a nice way of saying, “I’m depressed.” However, when I began to study the background of the word I found out that lull actually means sleep, pause, calm, hush. It comes from the same root as lullaby.

Maybe that is exactly what God wants. For us to rest in Him. To calm and quiet our hearts. We are too busy, too stressed, too worked up, too spent. Perhaps its good that we are “in a lull.” Don’t be anxious to get out. Instead, look for God in it.

The pioneer missionary Hudson Taylor once wrote, “When I cannot read, when I cannot think, when I cannot even pray, I can trust.” Let the lull bring you to the Lord. Rest in Him.