The Heart vs. The Brain

THE FUTURE MAY BE UNCERTAIN, BUT THE HOPE FOUND IN OUR GOD IS NOT!

We were praying through the Psalms this morning and Psalm 42 really struck me. It wasn’t the typical passage from Psalm 42 that hit me- the “as the deer pants for the water” part.

In verse 6 David says that his soul is cast down. He is despairing and sad. He is in turmoil because of the circumstances surrounding him. That is the cry from his heart.

In verse 11 he says, “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?” That is the response from his brain.

Sometimes it is our brain vs. our heart. His heart says, "I am in turmoil," and his brain asks, “Why?”

His brain answers its own question with the remainder of verse 11— “Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God.”

His brain doesn’t say, “Why are you in turmoil? This too shall pass,” or “Buck up, kiddo,” or “You are strong, you can handle this,” and his brain absolutely does not say, “Why are you in turmoil? God will never give you more than you can handle.”

...no matter the circumstance, no matter the uncertainty, we can have hope because of who our God is and not because of who we are.

No. The brain’s response doesn’t dismiss or downplay the very real turmoil or the very real circumstance. It isn’t dismissive and doesn’t deliver judgements nor empty platitudes. The brain simply reminds the heart that God is our hope. He is our salvation. That means no matter the circumstance, no matter the uncertainty, we can have hope because of who our God is and not because of who we are.

There are things in our path on our way to Life Action that are uncertain, potentially worrisome even. Yet, as my brain tells my heart, put my hope in God. In Him is my certainty. If He has directed us, He has cleared the path- even if it seems obstructed by fallen trees and boulders at the present.

He is our hope and our salvation!