Why art thou cast down, O my soul?

"Why art thou cast down, O my soul?" Psalms 42: 5

David, being a shepherd, here was actually talking about condition among sheep. Below is a excerpt from a website.

"Cast" Sheep

A sheep that has rolled over on its back is called a "cast" sheep. It may not be able to get up. It happens mostly with short, stocky sheep with heavy fleeces on flat terrain. Heavily pregnant ewes are most prone. Cast sheep become distressed and can die within a short time if not rolled back into a normal position. When back on their feet they may need to be supported for a few minutes before release to ensure they are steady.

This is the condition in which David described his soul.  His soul was in a state where it was rolled over and vulnerable, and he couldn't snap out of it.  Casts sheep cannot get up on their own, they need a shepherd to roll them up and stay with them.  It should be no secret, Jesus is our shepherd (Ps 23).  

This tends to happen on flat terrain ... for periods of time in lives everything is the same and repetitive no ups or downs this is when our soul can become casts and we may become depressed.  Maybe it starts off as just boredom and them moves into something more serious. 

Finally, this tends to happen to sheep who are pregnant.  In the words of TD Jakes, we are pregnant of possibilities! At the cusp of the fruition of our potential we are subject to Cast.  Stay on guard, or the seeds we planted yesterday could be choked up by the weeds and thorns of today.

Don't try to struggle and distress yourself to get back on your feet.  Sheeps in Cast may die.  Instead, cast all your cares on somebody who cares for you.  Jesus died for your sins, so you can have a new life and relationship with him.  Giving your life fully to Jesus is the most satisfying decisions you can make.  You will have The Shepherd always with you.

Thank you Jesus!

--thanks Jana Alcorn