Psalm 42 and the Mystery of the Human Soul

Scripture

• Psalms 42

About this sermon

Why do we avoid uncomfortable truth? In this teaching on Psalm 42, John Ortberg explores self-awareness, attention, distraction, procrastination, and the deep spiritual thirst at the center of the human soul. Using Psalm 42’s famous image — “As the deer pants for streams of water…” — John reflects on how human beings often distract themselves from the deeper realities happening inside them. Why do we avoid certain thoughts? Why do difficult truths fade when we procrastinate? And what does prayer have to do with attention? This episode explores: - The soul’s longing for God - Why humans avoid painful truth - Self-deception and attention management - Procrastination as a spiritual issue - The relationship between awareness and transformation - “The greatest freedom of human life” Featuring reflections from: - William James - Flannery O’Connor - Gregg Ten Elshof Scripture: - Psalm 42 #Psalm42 #JohnOrtberg #Prayer #SpiritualFormation #SelfAwareness #ChristianFaith #Psychology #Attention #BibleStudy #Psalms 📚 Today's Resources: Gregg A. Ten Elshof, I Told Me So: Self-Deception and the Christian Life Flannery O’Connor, The Violent Bear It Away 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.com GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Vikersund by RØRE - MB01V0UASAACPKE Alta by RØRE - MB01IWZVJASGKHF 00:00 Introduction 00:26 Psalm 42 & the Problem of Being Real 01:08 Why the Psalms Speak to the Soul 01:31 Awareness, Choice & the Human Will 02:19 “As the Deer Pants for Water” 03:18 Pouring Out the Soul Before God 04:04 “Why Are You Downcast, O My Soul?” 04:38 Flannery O’Connor & Avoiding Truth 06:18 William James on Attention & Experience 06:48 The Sneaky Power of Attention Management 07:09 The Greatest Freedom of Human Life 08:21 Forgetting Painful Experiences 09:12 Procrastination & Self-Deception 10:52 Why Moral Convictions Fade Over Time 11:26 “Help Me See What I’ve Been Avoiding” 11:54 Deep Calls to Deep

Topics

• Bible Study