Day 3
Author:
November 07, 2018
Praising with a Joyful Gratitude
“My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you – I whom you have delivered.” Psalm 71:23
Waking up this morning I smiled and thanked God for this beautiful day. Was it a beautiful day? I didn’t know, because I hadn’t peeked outside. It could have been raining, dreary, and cold. We should praise the Lord in all weather, because if it weren’t for the rain, there would be no growth.
I didn’t always wake up thinking like that. There were days when I didn’t want to get out of bed, my pillow soaked with tears from a shattered yesterday. My soul reeked of sadness, and the mourning of a thirty-year relationship was excruciating. I didn’t know one could grieve a living person, yet here I was anguished over my failed marriage. Separating from my high school sweetheart wasn’t in the “till death shall we part” contract. It wasn’t until I got into God’s Word that I was able to feel joy again.
Joy came from listening to sermons, studying and learning about Jesus Christ, and seeking who God was and still is today. Everyone has heard the “is the glass half full or half empty” question. I used to be a very negative person, I saw the glass half empty all the time. One day, I said no more. The glass is neither half full nor is it half empty, the glass is just a glass that can be refilled over and over again.
I used to wake up thinking about my husband, wondering what he was doing. I would think about all the hurtful things we had told each other, and I would bring this depression onto myself as my thoughts grew deep and dark. I’m grateful that I finally realized I couldn’t be joyful unless I changed the way I thought. I couldn’t change on my own, I had to surrender to the Lord and ask him to change me and my way of thinking.
Jesus Christ gave His life for us so that we could have an abundant life. We are empowered to do anything if Christ leads our path. We can train ourselves to wake up and give thanks to the One who gave us life. As soon as negative thoughts come your way, say “not today, Satan!”
Hope is a promise that can and will be fulfilled when we give it all to God. Don’t wake up and remember yesterday. Wake up looking forward to today and look for the joy that is promised to you.
I can do all things [ which he has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [ to fulfill His purpose – I am self -sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.] Philippians 4:13 AMP
Be cheerful in your worst days. Turn on gospel and worship music, sing, and praise the Lord because God has heard what you have been praying about. Now, wait for His will to be done. Waiting is one of the hardest things to do, but have faith and you will see results. Don’t let Satan steal another minute of joy from you.
The thief comes only to steal kill and destroy. I come that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10 ESV
Remember that God loves you, and through Christ you can do anything.
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