08/20/2023
I have a simple request for you today… I want you to write down five blessingsyou can see in your life.
Even if your in a stormy season in your life,
try to see past the trials.
I know very well in my own experiences that isn’t always the easiest thing to do, focusing on God’s blessings, even while in the storm.
but I am encouraging you to try.
Praise can be difficult. While our focus is on our problems, and it is hard that we can’t see all the blessings in our lives. We’re worried and fearful, stress abba anxiety filled our hearts, and our heart s are not full of joy and praise.
Yet, this is exactly when we need to focus our hearts and minds and souls on praising God.
In Psalm 34, written by David after a particularly stormy season in his life. He had learned that Saul intended to kill him. So he fled from the king. He faced dangers on his way, even pretended to be crazy so another king would let him go.
This Psalm is David’s reminder to focus our hearts to praise God in the storm, even when we’re in the midst of battle and running for our lives. Praise God first and trust that God will protect those who worship and obey him.
This is how God wants us to live, with praise always on our lips.
Here is a note thought;
If you surround yourself with those who are complaining, grumbling about life & speaking words of blame, you’ll fill your heart with those feelings.
But, if you surround yourself with people who are speaking words of life, speaking praise worthy thoughts of God. Those who are believing in God’s power, filling their hearts up with God…then you too can keep your eyes fixed on him by practicing the same thoughts!
“I sought the Lord, and he answered me;� He delivered me from all my fears.�Those who look to him are radiant;� Their faces are never covered with shame.�This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;� He saved him out of all his troubles.�The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,� And he delivers them.”
Psalm 34:4-7 (NIV)
Our problems don’t just go away, but our gaze shifts from our problems to God. When we fix our eyes on God the problems of this world begin to fade away. When praise pours out of our mouths, joy begins to fill our hearts.