Dear Precious Friends,
As we embrace a new day I am so encouraged by the many examples in the Bible of those who are walking through the hardest of times, and what do they do? Praise God...
All of us have moments when we feel discouraged by life’s circumstances. In Fact, right now most certainly the circumstances we are in are bringing great discouragement and we need to be reminded of God's truth and why we are here for such a time as this!!!
Recently, after walking through the most difficult year of loss I have ever experienced... I received the most challenging & shocking news (in the midst of COVID) and have been walking through a very difficult time. When I share these posts, I am sharing so much of what I need to hear as my world has been turned upside down. We are all surrounded by difficulties that we have never seen in our lifetimes! We wonder if we will ever emerge from today’s trying situation with our joy intact.
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God. —Psalm 42:11
But I will keep on hoping for Your help; I will praise You more and more. —Psalm 71:14
It’s good to know that our Father invites us to confide in Him, to share our feelings honestly in prayer. He cares for us and understands our needs and weaknesses. We can draw near to Him by singing psalms or hymns, or reflecting on His goodness and speaking well of Him. Of course, there are times when this may seem too difficult, but even whispering a prayer of praise can bring peace as we focus on Him and not our circumstances. Isaiah 26:3 reminds us how to have perfect peace.. To fix our eyes on Him. To name His attributes.. To trust Him with ALL our hearts... we can't lean on our own understanding but we can rely on the absolute truth of His word which carries every answer for everything we need!!!
The psalmist in Psalm 42 questions the reason for his despair; then he instructs himself to hope in God. The expression, “I will still praise Him” signifies an inner determination and a forward-facing outlook. He persistently, continually, and repeatedly praises the Lord. This allows him to focus on God his Savior, the One who will bring deliverance and victory. To have hope in God is to wait expectantly for Him. Since He is faithful to help, we can know that we will praise Him again. This gives us at least a vision of ourselves rejoicing in the future. When we feel downcast... lets remind ourselves of God's antidepressant!! His word. Psalm 42 is one amazing reading...
Let's share what we are praising Him for today in the midst of these difficulties. I am praising Him for Jesus, Family, Friends, Life, breath, His creation, for each of you, for a new day, for His truth...His miracles...
Please share...
Have a beautiful day knowing how loved you are.
AMEN!
