Did you wake up today just wanting to throw the covers back over your head? Do you have situations that you are dealing with that you cannot see the solutions for? Is the very last thing you feel like doing is worshipping the Lord this morning?
I FEEL YOU! I GET IT!
But here is the thing – and you may have to dig deep – there is ALWAYS something to be thankful for! Here is one – you woke up this morning! God has given you a fresh sheet of life to write upon! Here is another – God created you with a purpose in mind!
THERE IS A PURPOSE FOR WHY YOU ARE HERE! EVEN IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT THAT PURPOSE IS!
Even as I write out those words – I feel joy flooding my weary soul, because the One Who is greater than any situation we are in IS in control, even when we feel out of control. In fact, we forget that we were not created to be independent of the Creator. That’s where the problems occur. Trying to do life on our own makes it more difficult than it is meant to be. Jesus says in John 15:1-8:
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
Honestly, even when I wake up feeling like digging deeper into my bed and putting the covers over my head, I know without a shadow of a doubt that no matter what curve balls life throws me, my Father IS still on His throne! Even now as you read these words, Jesus is sitting at the right hand of the Father interceding on our behalf! Our steps are ALREADY ordered by God! Even at our most out of control moments, NOTHING surprises Him. He is STILL in control! Now, tell me THAT doesn’t feel your soul with joy???!!!
Sometimes I wish that God didn’t create us with feelings… But then how very bland life would be… We have a wonderful Father Who so very thoughtfully created us with SO many attributes! That in and of itself should make us want to praise Him!
FOR WHO HE IS!
Eyes that can see the beauty of this world around us! Ears that can hear! A nose that can smell! A mouth and taste buds that can enjoy eating and speaking! A body that first of all was created in HIS image but also is a house to our soul and spirit! All the wonderful sensations that go with having a body! How generous a Creator Who thought of EVERYTHING to make life beautiful for us! Even in a fallen, sinful world!
Are you already feeling somewhat better? I know I am…
Listen, God doesn’t NEED our praise! He’s got thousands of angels praising His Holy Name 24/7. But He knows that it blesses us to bless Him! And He SHOULD be worshipped; He SHOULD be praised because He IS worthy! No matter what our feelings dictate.
Think about it this way – if you love a person, REALLY love them, does your love fluctuate because of your mood? Do you turn away from them, or do you share your struggles and hardships with them? Do those hardships draw you closer or make you grow apart? If someone really loves you, shouldn’t they be there for you and communicate their needs with you through good times and in bad??? Now, maybe that is not a good enough example because “people love” can fail. Agape love is the HIGHEST form of love, characterized by selflessness, unconditional care and sacrificial concern for the well-being of others. It refers to God’s in-depth love for people, and people’s love for both God and others. People will constantly disappoint us, but God – well, He never will. Even when we disappoint Him. He desires a relationship with you, one where you can confide your worries, your fears, your hopes, your successes and questions! He created you to be IN fellowship with Him! And that “peace that passes ALL understanding” that we so desperately strive for can ONLY be found in Him!
(Are you feeling better yet? I am.. 🙂 )
Sometimes we just have to remind ourselves that we are completely loved by a God Who has in EVERY way tried to convey His love for us! Receive it! Believe it! And determine to grow closer to Him IN love. How?
BY FAITH
God is not a man that He would lie. His Word is true and while it’s hard to understand the trials we go through when we go through them, but He never lets us go through them alone.
HE IS ALWAYS WITH US
He will never leave nor forsake us and there comes a part in our walk with Him where we can look back and see that He IS a faithful Father! He IS our Provider, He IS our Deliverer, He IS an EVER-present help in time of trouble. We CAN go to Him in prayer and He IS faithful! The answer may not always come in the way that we expect it – but He sees SO much more than we do. He knows it isn’t easy, but with Him ALL things are possible.
In this life we will have trials and tribulations – Jesus said that would be so, but He also told us that He has overcome the world! Jesus has ALREADY won the victory for us! Yet another reason for us to praise Him.
So, next time you are feeling discouraged, down and wanting to stay curled up in bed, start trying to change your perspective to be in line with the One Who sees You, Who loves You, Who knows you! Who IS there for you and as you begin to turn your thoughts to Him, Holy Spirit will fill you with His peace, with His comfort, with His love. You are God’s PRECIOUS child and He’s got you whether you “feel it” or not. We aren’t supposed to be led by our “feelings” but by our “faith” and He IS faithful. He truly is…
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