When things are bothering us if we would just praise the Lord and keep praising Him the things bothering us wouldn't seem so bothersome.
I have had several things bothering me this week and IF I would have just started praising God I know they would not have grown out of proportion but did I do this, NO, I didn't. Needless to say these things have become an obstacle for me and it is harder to start praising the Lord. But that is what I need to do and I will do it. Oh, these things are not near as big and bad as I had thought. Why did I not go to the Lord and praise Him? I am not really sure but I didn't so who is the one that has paid for not doing it? No one else but ME!
Philippians 4:8; "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, thing on these things". I as a believer should place my mind on these things which are true, pure, holy, and righteous. This is a condition for experiencing the peace of God and be kept from anxiety.
Philippians 4:9; "Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do; and the God of peace shall be with you". This is telling me the things I have learned I should put in practice. By doing what I should be doing will give me the peace of God. This peace is a peace beyond understanding for me but I know when I do what I have learned that peace comes to me. I want this kind of peace all of the time.
If I am thinking on all the things that are good, that is from God how can I keep from praising Him? When I am thinking on these things and giving the Lord the praises He so deserves I will not have time to think about how bad I may think things are. God will never put more on us than what we can withstand. He knows exactly where that point is, we may think we can't withstand as much but God knows whether we can or not.
I Corinthians 10:13; "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it". I can bear every temptation and escape if I am sincere and desire it and if depend on the faithfulness and power of the Lord. When I have things bothering me if I would just listen to God and if I praise Him I will not be bothered by these things, He will give me strength to overcome and I will desire to think on all things that are just, pure, lovely, and good. I don't have to dwell on these things that bother me which I have done, why didn't I rely on God and give Him praise and I wouldn't have had time to dwell on them? Okay, I am eating my words and will try to remember all of this the next time I start dwelling on things that I shouldn't. After all God is faithful, isn't it better to lean on Him and call on Him when I need help? I give Him all the praise due Him and give Him thanks.
May you always know the love, joy, and peace of the Lord!
2 comments:
I understand just how you feel, and you are right praising Jesus in the middle of what we are thinking at the time changes our thinking to everything that is good. What we think may look like a steep mountain to climb turns into a tiny molehill that we just need to step over. It amazes how He does that Praise God for His mercy, goodness and faithfulness.
Blessings to you Deane.
Praising God in the middle of our problems may not always change our circumstances but it changes our outlook. It lifts our spirits. In ushers His presence and joy in our lives. Great post.
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