I was visiting with a dear friend as she shared some of the desperation and grief that she was experiencing and said she felt it almost more than she could bear. I listened, feeling so helpless to do anything, although the thought came to my mind, "Praise Him!"
There are times when our lives are overwhelmed with problems, heartache and depression. But I know from experience that to offer God a sacrifice of praise can release His power to work in our lives in a miraculous way. Offer Him a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving even when you don't feel like praising God. . . especially when you don't feel like it!
When my oldest child was about sixteen or seventeen she became rebellious and was living a sinful lifestyle. My heart was breaking. Waves of grief would come in like the tide and I felt I would drown. I would go into my bedroom, get on my knees and open the Bible to the Psalms. I "prayed" Psalms of praise until the awful darkness lifted and I could feel God's peace and hope in my hurting heart.
When my son was killed in a car accident, I was almost numb with shock when I heard the words, "He's gone." I left the hospital waiting room and went outside, lifted my head to the sky, and began to praise God. If anyone had been watching, they would have probably thought I had lost my mind, to be praising God moments after hearing the news about my son. But the scripture says, "In all things give thanks" and that is exactly what I did! I began to praise and thank God. His power was released and a calmness took over my spirit that I can't explain. I was able to give comfort to others. I remember one of the friends of my son was almost hysterical and I put my arms around her and tried to calm her. I was in grief but I had peace, that wonderful peace that God gives in the storm. He is faithful!
But we have to look up. If we look down we will see nothing but darkness and despair. When we look up we see the stars shining in the darkness. These stars, to me, represent the beautiful, unfailing, promises of God. I praise Him for His faithfulness. . . today and every day!
The
Tree
Of Praise
The Precious
Power Of Praise!
Praise = honours God!
Praise = brings deliverance!
Praise = is the voice of faith!
Praise = is the language of Heaven!
Praise = sets the stage for God to move!
Praise = releases God's Angels to minister!
Praise = fuels joy which is our strength!
Praise = knocks down the walls of resistance!
Praise = stills the enemy and the avenger!
Praise = dispels darkness and depression!
Praise = precedes not follows blessings!
Praise = moves God's many blessings down!
Praise = brings God onto the scene!
Praise = is total acceptance of God's word!
Author
Unknown
*
After writing this post, I did not want to leave the wrong impression. There are certainly times that I have depression and the clouds hover over and I just have to wait for the sun to shine again. I was writing primarily about those things that come into our life that just overwhelm us in their severity.
**
Here is a song of praise that I love!
When you're up against a struggle
That shatters all your dreams
And your hope's been cruelly crushed
By Satan's manifested scheme
And you feel the urge within you
To submit to earthly fears
Don't let the faith your standing in seem to disappear
**
Praise the Lord, He can work through those who praise Him
Praise the Lord, He can work through those who praise Him
Praise the Lord for our God inhabits praise
Praise the Lord for the chains that seem to bind you
Serve only to remind you that they
Drop powerless behind you when you praise Him
**
Now Satan is a liar and he wants to make us think
That we are paupers when he knows himself we're children
of the King
Lift up the mighty shield of faith for the battle has been won
We know that Jesus Christ is risen so the work's already done
**
Praise the Lord, He can work through those who praise Him
Praise the Lord for our God inhabits praise
Praise the Lord for the chains that seem to bind you
Serve only to remind you that they
Drop powerless behind you when you praise Him
*
author unknown
