Feeling downtrodden?
Are winter doldrums getting you down? Have recent storms, unpredictable weather conditions, and long dark days of the season taken a toll on your feelings of well-being? Are you feeling downtrodden like the buttercups (daffodils) above after heavy rains and a sudden plunge in temperatures?
King Saul had taken David into his service and this loyal son of Jesse became a successful warrior for Saul. But the king became jealous of David’s success and and turned on his young hero. King Saul decided to kill his faithful warrior and David fled for his life.
Then David fled from Naimoth at Ramah and went to Jonathan and asked, “What have I done? What is my crime? How have I wronged your father, that he is trying to kill me?” (1 Samuel 20:1)
Feeling downtrodden
David must have felt lonely, sad, angry, depressed–and most definitely downtrodden. He had slaughtered Goliath to save the Israelites. King Saul had commissioned him as a leader and David completed numerous battle campaigns against their enemies, But instead of recognizing David’s service and loyalty, his king decided to kill him.
God had a different plan
I was pushed back and about to fall, but the LORD helped me. The LORD is my strength and defense; he has become my salvation. (Psalm 118:13-14)
God had another purpose for David and intervened to save him from Saul’s wrath. Even Jonathan, Saul’s son and David’s dear friend, interceded to protect David. God planned for David to be king.
God will protect us through the trials. This doesn’t mean we won’t have challenges–but God will be with us through the hard times.
Has God intervened for you, protecting you from a severe trial?
God doesn’t abandon us
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. (1Corinthians 4:8-10)
The flowers above need sunshine, warmth, nourishment, and love to recover from being downtrodden. But the ones below are standing tall, boldly lifting their faces to the sun.
How do we recover from feeling downtrodden?
- Sunshine–Take a walk in God’s beautiful world, bask in the awesomeness of His creation, and catch some sunshine to banish the darkness of winter. Nature walks provide numerous benefits for us.
- Warmth–Seek God’s gift of light by meditation, prayer, and fellowship with other members of the family of God. His warmth, kindness, and love will seep into the lonely and sad regions of your heart.
- Nourishment–Just as flowers seek nourishment from the earth and God’s gift of rain, we find nourishment in our relationship with our Father. Seek renewed faith by immersion in His Word and prayer. Join others in praise and worship of our Lord and Savior.
- Love–I show love for my flowers by keeping weeds pulled, mulching around them to enhance moisture, and striving to protect them from varmints that either eat or destroy them. When we seek Him, Our Lord protects us from varmints (temptations) and the weeds of sin, while providing us with living water.
Immanuel–God with us–He will lift us our of the doldrums and revive us when we’re downtrodden.
Thank you for the timely reminder, Katherine. Blessings.
Thank you, Diana! Although, social media is not my favorite mode of communication, it is a blessing that we can encourage each other cross the miles with a few moments at the computer. Wishing you a joyful day and continued blessings for your ministry of service to our Father.
Amen! God never promises us a “rose garden”, but He did promise us He would be with us through every trial. Such an important lesson for new Christians and a great reminder for us older ones. God never tells us there won’t be trials; in fact, His Word tells us that we will face them. He does promise us that He’ll never leave or forsake us. Amen! Let us shout for joy, knowing that the God of all creation fights through every trial beside us.
J.D., we’ve both experienced numerous trials during life’s journey thus far, but as you point out, our God never leaves us or forsakes us. We have the assurance of His eternal love and the gift of salvation through Jesus to remind us. I agree, my friend, let’s shout for joy for God’s infinite blessings. Hope everyone on the Cross-Dubya has a blessed week.
I’m so thankful for our God who meets us in the midst of our downtrodden state and nourishes us to upright standing. I’ve been there many times in my life. Katherine, thanks for sharing.
We are so blessed, aren’t we, that God is with us every step of the journey. We still have those trials, but we’re not going through them alone. Lisa, I hope your week is overflowing with joy and blessings. Thank you so much for your support and encouragement.
I love your suggestions for when we feel downtrodden!I’m so thankful God helps me through those times, often through some of those suggestions you gave. Thank you, Katherine.
It’s wonderful that we can always depend on God when we’re going through hard times or feel like we can’t get up and get going. I’m so grateful for your kind encouragement, Kathy. Wishing you sunshine and blessings.
Katherine, you’ve given a great prescription for how to seek God when we feel down. Thanks for such an engaging post. Blessings!
Annie, I know you agree that we are so blessed to have a Father who loves us in spite of all our faults and weaknesses. When we’re sad, depressed, or trying to dig ourselves out of a pit of our own making, He is there to extend a hand up and grant us the courage to try again. May God continue to bless you and your ministry of service to Him.
Great remedy for times when we’re feeling beat down. Our God never fails to restore us. Another thing I like to do is notice tiny buds on bushes and trees, hear the bird’s song, and appreciate the extra minutes of daylight we’re getting as we move closer to spring. Hope straight to the heart.
You’re my kind of girl, Candyce! I’m watching those same advance notifications of spring. My allergies have begun, so that’s a clear sign! Thank you for reminding us of our Father’s faithfulness. We can depend on Him not to fail us.
It is such a comfort to read how God stood by with people. They didn’t have easy lives. But they were never alone.
He never leaves us and won’t forsake us. What a blessing has been granted to us to be children of God. Wishing you joy, Debbie.
I’ve been there and probably will be again, but the Lord perks me up when I trust in Him! He restores my faith and hope and fills me with bountiful blessings! Thank you, Katherine for this beautiful post!
Thank you for your encouragement, LuAnn. Aren’t we blessed that our Father is always faithful and trustworthy? Wishing you joy and blessings!
How quickly flowers react to nourishment has always fascinated me. God has always used their beauty to speak to me. Love your post.
God speaks to me through nature, too, Jen. It is amazing how a flower can be sad, wilted, and nearly dried up, then with a little love and nourishment, perk up to good health and beauty again. Reminds me of the importance of caring for others–a little love can make a big difference in the lives of those who are downtrodden. Wishing you a blessed week.