Praising Him Through the Storm

Do you ever run into those times in your life when everything is going downhill and it's all you can do to keep from drowning? Not to mention how difficult it is to look to God and say "Thank You"?

It's so easy to try to battle our way through our own problems when we don't seem to get an answer from God. And it's not very easy to give Him praise through the struggles. I wanted to write about this topic today, because this is something that I've been struggling in with day to day situations. Not that any of you are dealing with this problem; but in case you are, I wanted this to be of some encouragement for you.

In this blog post, I'd like to share parts of a devotion book that my Mom has been reading from. You may have remembered a post awhile back that talked about God's handiwork in making stars. For this particular devotion, Max Lucado talks about the "Grateful Heart".

"Gratitude lifts our eyes off the things we lack so we might see the blessings we possess."  

When we start to focus on things we don't have, we lose sight of the things we do have. In Philippians 4:11, a very well known passage to all of us, Paul writes "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content". Though at this very moment, we might be walking through some valley, we need to follow Paul's example and be "content" with where God has placed us. We may not know where the road leads, but God has us where we are "stationed" for a reason. And He has equipped us with everything we need.

Lucado goes on to suggest what we can do: "Major in the grace of God. When Paul sent Timothy off to spiritual university, he told him to major in the grace of God: "You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 2:1)." A little farther down, Lucado goes on to say: "Measure the gifts of God. Collect your blessings. Catalog His kindnesses. Assemble your reasons for gratitude and recite them. 'Always be joyful. Pray continually, and give thanks whatever happens. That is what God wants for you in Christ Jesus' (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)."

When we look at this verse, we see three commands: "Be joyful", "pray continually", and "give thanks whatever happens". Can we "force" ourselves to be joyful in difficult times? Yes, probably. But being "joyful" means completely putting our heart into it. Being sincerely joyful doesn't mean half-heartedly giving it a try. It's choosing to praise God through the rain. Secondly, there's the step of praying "continually". It's keeping our eyes on Him and not taking them off of Him, that is what keeps our mind on the "things above" (Colossians 3:2). These are the "things" that really matter. But if we're like Peter who looks away from Jesus and starts to focus on the waves, then we will not be placing our attention on Christ--the One Who can see us through the difficult times. And then lastly, we must "give thanks whatever happens". Though it may not come easy for us, God tells us in Psalm 100:4 to "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name". Why we should do this, is explained in the fifth verse: "For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations".

Notice that the last verse is in present tense. He is good, His mercy is everlasting, and His goodness and mercy endures. This is for you, my friend. God's promise still holds true to this very minute. Hold on to Him and "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus". (Philippians 4:6-7)

Sister in Christ,
Julianna

"I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:14