Relying on God's Word to Talk Ourselves Up Out of the Pit | Soul Talk | Pastor Randy Goldenberg

We all have a constant stream of thoughts running through our minds—an internal conversation that shapes our emotions, attitudes, and ultimately, our character. Much of this “soul talk” is inherited, shaped by our upbringing and past experiences, and not all of it is trustworthy or helpful. God desires to be part of this inner dialogue, to correct and redirect the words we speak to ourselves, especially when we find ourselves in the pit—those seasons of discouragement, depression, and deep disorientation.

The pit is different from moments of panic or desperation; it’s a place of low energy, where we feel stuck, lost, and unsure if things will ever change. In these moments, God’s Word becomes essential. Scripture is not just a set of rules or stories; it is inspired by God and designed to teach us truth, correct our errors, and guide us into the life He created us to live—a life that reflects His love and character. We are not left to our own devices; God gives us both the desire and the ability to live as He calls us, even when old habits and pain seem insurmountable.

When we’re in the pit, the first step is to register and reflect on our pain. Rather than running from it or numbing ourselves, we are called to walk toward it, to own it, and to bring it honestly before God. This is not self-absorption, but self-awareness—an openness to let God meet us in our deepest places. The psalmist in Psalm 42 models this, pouring out his soul, admitting his downcast state, and questioning his own internal narrative.

Often, our despair is tied to the loss of “the one thing”—a must-have or non-negotiable that we believe we cannot live without. This could be a person, a role, or a circumstance. Yet, as we see in the lives of people like the Apostle Paul, contentment and joy are possible even when these things are absent. God’s blessings are still present, even in the pit, but we must train ourselves to recognize them, remembering His faithfulness in the past and His promises for the future.

Ultimately, we are called to respond to our soul and redirect its talk. We must speak truth to ourselves, reminding our soul to hope in God, to trust in His character, and to wait for His deliverance. The pit, as painful as it is, can become the place where we discover that Christ truly is the one thing we need—the source of every good we long for. In clinging to Him, we find that even in our lowest moments, we have everything we need.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Register and reflect on your soul’s pain Owning our pain, rather than running from it, is a vital step toward healing. When we bring our honest emotions before God, we invite Him into our deepest struggles. This self-awareness, guided by God’s Spirit, allows us to see what’s really going on inside and opens the door for transformation. [14:00]
• 2. Recognize God’s blessings in the pit Even in seasons of loss and discouragement, God’s blessings are present—though often overlooked. Remembering His past faithfulness and noticing His present gifts shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have. This gratitude can lift us from despair and anchor us in hope. [28:05]
• 3. Challenge and redirect your internal conversation Our internal dialogue can pull us deeper into the pit or lift us toward hope. By questioning our soul’s despair and speaking God’s truth to ourselves, we realign our perspective with His promises. This is not self-confidence, but confidence in God’s character and His commitment to our good. [33:59]
• 4. Discover Christ as the true “one thing” The pit exposes the false “must-haves” we cling to and invites us to find our sufficiency in Christ alone. When we realize that every good we seek is ultimately found in Him, we experience a freedom and intimacy with God that cannot be shaken by changing circumstances. [40:29]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:29] - The Power of Internal Conversation
• [00:57] - Letting God Into Our Soul Talk
• [01:29] - The Difference Between the Ledge and the Pit
• [02:27] - Our Spiritual DNA and God’s Design
• [03:12] - God Produces Desire and Ability
• [04:45] - The Gift of Self-Control
• [05:46] - Transformation Begins With Our Thoughts
• [07:03] - The Context of Psalm 42
• [08:47] - Longing for God’s Presence
• [09:58] - Honest Admission of Discouragement
• [13:41] - Step One: Registering and Reflecting on Pain
• [16:14] - The Loss of the “One Thing”
• [18:52] - Someone or Something: Our Non-Negotiables
• [21:11] - Paul’s Contentment Without Earthly Must-Haves
• [22:35] - The Language of the Pit
• [24:50] - Pain as God’s Megaphone
• [28:05] - Recognizing God’s Present and Past Blessings
• [33:59] - Responding to and Redirecting Our Soul
• [36:01] - Waiting on God in the Pit
• [39:35] - The Pit as a Place of Intimacy
• [40:29] - Discovering Christ as the One Thing
• [41:57] - Our True Longing and God’s Kingdom
• [43:09] - Closing Prayer

Bible Reading

Psalm 42 (ESV) — As a deer pants for flowing streams,
so pants my soul for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God?
My tears have been my food day and night,
while they say to me all the day long,
“Where is your God?”
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.
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.
... (Read the full Psalm 42 together)

Observation Questions

1. In Psalm 42, what emotions does the psalmist express, and how does he describe his current situation?
2. According to the sermon, what is the difference between being “on the ledge” and being “in the pit”? ([01:29])
3. What are some of the “must-haves” or “non-negotiables” the psalmist feels he has lost? How does this affect his soul? ([16:14])
4. How does the psalmist respond to his own feelings of being downcast or disturbed? What does he say to his soul? ([34:12])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does the psalmist choose to “pour out his soul” and honestly admit his pain to God instead of hiding or numbing it? What does this show about his relationship with God? ([14:00])
2. The sermon talks about “the one thing” we think we can’t live without. Why do people often believe they need a certain person, role, or circumstance to be content? How does this belief impact our relationship with God? ([17:09])
3. The psalmist remembers God’s past faithfulness and present blessings even while in the pit. Why is this act of remembering so important for moving from despair to hope? ([28:05])
4. When the psalmist challenges and redirects his internal conversation, what is he really putting his hope in? How is this different from self-confidence? ([33:59])

Application Questions

1. The first step the sermon mentions is to “register and reflect on your soul’s pain.” When you’re hurting or discouraged, do you tend to run from your pain, numb it, or face it? What would it look like for you to bring your honest emotions before God this week? ([14:00])
2. The sermon describes “the pit” as a place of low energy and feeling stuck. Can you think of a time when you were in the pit? What was your internal conversation like during that season? ([01:51])
3. The idea of “the one thing” is powerful. Is there something or someone in your life right now that you feel you can’t live without? How might God be inviting you to find your sufficiency in Christ instead? ([17:09])
4. The psalmist chooses to remember God’s blessings even in hard times. What are some specific ways you can practice gratitude and remember God’s faithfulness, especially when you feel discouraged? ([28:05])
5. The sermon encourages us to challenge and redirect our internal conversation. What are some lies or negative scripts you tend to repeat to yourself when you’re down? What is one truth from God’s Word you can speak to your soul this week? ([33:59])
6. The pit can become a place of intimacy with God. Have you ever experienced a season where your pain actually brought you closer to God? What did you learn about Him or yourself during that time? ([39:35])
7. The psalmist ultimately discovers that Christ is the true “one thing.” What would it look like for you to make Jesus your “one thing” in this season of your life? Are there practical steps you can take to re-center your hope and identity in Him? ([40:29])