ThirstySouls
A workgroup celebrating healing and well being of the mind and soul; learning to listen,... View more
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Why ThirstySouls? (Origin of the Name)
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Why ThirstySouls? (Origin of the Name)
When I was searching for a name for this work group, I did a search for Bible verses that describe the mental health or soul journey. One passage in particular stood out to me: Paslm 42:
Psalm 42
Book Two
Why Are You Cast Down, O My Soul?
To the choirmaster. A Maskil of the Sons of Korah.
[1] As a deer pants for flowing streams,
so pants my soul for you, O God.
[2] My soul thirsts for God,
for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God?
[3] My tears have been my food
day and night,
while they say to me all the day long,
“Where is your God?”
[4] These things I remember,
as I pour out my soul:
how I would go with the throng
and lead them in procession to the house of God
with glad shouts and songs of praise,
a multitude keeping festival.
[5] Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation [6] and my God.
My soul is cast down within me;
therefore I remember you
from the land of Jordan and of Hermon,
from Mount Mizar.
[7] Deep calls to deep
at the roar of your waterfalls;
all your breakers and your waves
have gone over me.
[8] By day the LORD commands his steadfast love,
and at night his song is with me,
a prayer to the God of my life.
[9] I say to God, my rock:
“Why have you forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning
because of the oppression of the enemy?”
[10] As with a deadly wound in my bones,
my adversaries taunt me,
while they say to me all the day long,
“Where is your God?”
[11] Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God.
This Paslm certainly describes a deep and far-ranging emotional journey, but it also describes the key — not the avoidance, suppression, or stigmatization of the mental health challenge, but rather God as the center, audience, and companion on that journey. David’s thirst for God — that could only be satisfied by a real experience of the living God — was the secret to thriving in his world of trauma, violence, temptation, betrayal, and loss.
It’s fitting that Psalm 42 opens “Book 2” of the Psalms. The themes of Book 2 are deeply psychological, revealing the souls journey through profound experiences. Instead of the more generic “Elohim”, this book calls God “Yahweh” – “I am” who is present and holds our being on the winding road. This book also contains the Messianic psalms, forecasting the One who would save our souls and enlist us in the mission of complete transformation and reconciliation.
What do you relate to from Psalm 42? What does it bring up for you on your own journey?
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3 Replies
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A couple of things speak to me from this Psalm. Mostly, it causes questions about my walk with God. Do I really “thirst” for God? This question causes me to look at where I turn for help when the mental or physical struggles come my way. Do I turn to doctors, counselors, self-help books, etc? I’m not saying that using any of those things is wrong. What I am asking is where do I go first? Do I go to all the other places before I go to the Father?
The only place to find complete healing is in the Father. All the other things are blessing which the Father has supplied to bless us. In my journey, I’m learning to go to the Father first and depend on Him to lead to the things that can help me. As my thirst for Him moves to the place of being first, my mental and physical health move closer to His design.
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Great point. When I answer the big “why” questions about pain and struggle — whether for myself, those I care about, or the wide world in general — I always come back to “with”. God wants to be with us and he will not allow a world where we humans can’t feel this.
Those who deny God’s presence in their pain make him too small in their faith to matter. Those who blame God for their pain loose their faith and suffer in darkness. But those who bring their pain to the Father and hold the questions before him grow in faith and life even if they hear no answers. That’s why Job was wise and faithful.
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Great thought. Our relationship with God is number one in everything in life. All other relationships are influenced by our relationship with Him. But, the opposite is also true. Our relationships with others can influence our relationship with God. Perhaps a childhood with a far off, uncaring, or even abusing father can influence our thoughts and our relationship with The Father. If we can get our minds to place God in His rightful position (first) in our lives, we can deal with other relationships.
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This reply was modified 1 month ago by bopbop.
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