Years ago, when I was really down about some things, I went for council to a retired Pastor, who was close to 90 years old. He welcomed me warmly, and, seated in his tiny trailer, I was soon regaling him with all my problems!
After listening patiently for awhile, he interrupted me by raising his arms and saying loudly, "Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!!" I'm sure my surprise showed on my face! In somewhat of a stunned silence, the thought flashed briefly across my mind to wonder if maybe I should call the "white coats" to come and get him! I thought he'd lost his mind and was just a bit embarrassed for him! I was irritated that he'd interrupted, and almost started up again with my complaints. But knowing him as well as I did, I knew he really wasn't crazy, and must mean something deeper.
He explained that if I would just take time each day to praise our God and be thankful to Him, I would begin to see things differently. I fought the temptation to tell him he just didn't understand what was going on, and how stressful it was to me, and that I needed him to give me solutions!! But something just told me to smile and thank him, and I left to go to the gym, where I walked around the track in the cold Wyoming winters.
As I walked, I began to thank God for things, and praise Him for what He created. I thanked him for green grass, the sunshine, the birds, my family, my good health, and praised Him for His majesty and perfection, His plan of salvation, His beauty and thoughtfulness, and on and on, for a long time while I walked. It was totally new to me. Before, I'd just asked Him for things! I cannot describe to you the wondrous changes made in my heart and mind that day! A huge smile replaced the worried frown and whining self-pity, and I began the journey of freedom from my circumstances and negative influences of other people, into the profound peace of God!
Did my problems go away that day? No. They just no longer had the power to disturb me. Psalm 16:8 says, "I have set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." In Isaiah 54:10 our God says, "Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed...". If we spend our time complaining to God and others, we have lost sight of God's wonders, and nullified our faith that God is MORE THAN ABLE to provide what we need! Anything and anyone has the power to shake and upset us, and even depress us! By praising Him, we take hold of it, as we focus on Him and what He does and Who He is!! I know that day, that I was very pleasing to God! I stopped seeing things from my own small viewpoint, and started seeing them through the eyes of my mighty and loving God!!
That old retired Pastor went to be with the Lord years ago, but his council to be thankful and give praise is still affecting me today! Just as he said, I began to see things differently! Just having this different, happier mindset, my problems became easier to solve, I became a better mom, friend, etc., and the burden was lifted from me, to Jesus' broad shoulders!! It will work for you too, I promise. :)
Today and the next few days: Take time to thank and praise God for anything and everything! Just look up at Him, seated on the throne of your heart, and worship Him, trusting Him to be all that you need, now and forever more!
After listening patiently for awhile, he interrupted me by raising his arms and saying loudly, "Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!!" I'm sure my surprise showed on my face! In somewhat of a stunned silence, the thought flashed briefly across my mind to wonder if maybe I should call the "white coats" to come and get him! I thought he'd lost his mind and was just a bit embarrassed for him! I was irritated that he'd interrupted, and almost started up again with my complaints. But knowing him as well as I did, I knew he really wasn't crazy, and must mean something deeper.
He explained that if I would just take time each day to praise our God and be thankful to Him, I would begin to see things differently. I fought the temptation to tell him he just didn't understand what was going on, and how stressful it was to me, and that I needed him to give me solutions!! But something just told me to smile and thank him, and I left to go to the gym, where I walked around the track in the cold Wyoming winters.
As I walked, I began to thank God for things, and praise Him for what He created. I thanked him for green grass, the sunshine, the birds, my family, my good health, and praised Him for His majesty and perfection, His plan of salvation, His beauty and thoughtfulness, and on and on, for a long time while I walked. It was totally new to me. Before, I'd just asked Him for things! I cannot describe to you the wondrous changes made in my heart and mind that day! A huge smile replaced the worried frown and whining self-pity, and I began the journey of freedom from my circumstances and negative influences of other people, into the profound peace of God!
Did my problems go away that day? No. They just no longer had the power to disturb me. Psalm 16:8 says, "I have set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." In Isaiah 54:10 our God says, "Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed...". If we spend our time complaining to God and others, we have lost sight of God's wonders, and nullified our faith that God is MORE THAN ABLE to provide what we need! Anything and anyone has the power to shake and upset us, and even depress us! By praising Him, we take hold of it, as we focus on Him and what He does and Who He is!! I know that day, that I was very pleasing to God! I stopped seeing things from my own small viewpoint, and started seeing them through the eyes of my mighty and loving God!!
That old retired Pastor went to be with the Lord years ago, but his council to be thankful and give praise is still affecting me today! Just as he said, I began to see things differently! Just having this different, happier mindset, my problems became easier to solve, I became a better mom, friend, etc., and the burden was lifted from me, to Jesus' broad shoulders!! It will work for you too, I promise. :)
Today and the next few days: Take time to thank and praise God for anything and everything! Just look up at Him, seated on the throne of your heart, and worship Him, trusting Him to be all that you need, now and forever more!
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