Thursday, June 18, 2009

Praise Our Lord

I was thinking today about how easy it is to praise Our Awesome God when everything is going our way or at least the way you think it should be going. When everything is going good it's really a piece of cake to give praise to GodBut, it's in the tough times when your real faith shines through. When you're having a bad day and feel like God is nowhere in site or maybe you got the news about a raise or promotion that you have really been praying real hard about lately and it turns out all bad. Maybe you, your spouse or a friend got laid off from work, or worse, lost their job all together or someone you know was diagnosed with cancer, or maybe your relationship is in turmoil. Whatever the situation, you get the idea, it's in those times when your faith is put to the test.

So what is you reaction? Do you pout around with your lip dragging the floor or do you continue to praise God as you normally do or the way you would when everything is good? During these times do you wonder if there really is a God and does He know you are having these troubles, or maybe you think that He just hasn't discovered what you are going through yet?

Well, trust me, we all go through times like this. It's completely normal for God to feel distant at times. It's not because He really is, He's always there, it's because we are all humans and humans are not perfect. I've talked with pastors who have told me that sometimes they feel like SHOUTING HALLELUJAH and sometimes they don't. Sometimes the Spirit of God moves in you at different degrees and levels. It doesn't mean that anything is wrong or that God is not there.

A lot of times when you are having tough times with your spirituality it is satan himself at work. He will try and deceive and confuse and make you doubt your very salvation. He's been at it a long time and has perfected his techniques. Be thankful that he (satan) has no power over Our Lord Jesus Christ.

While I have experienced all the things above at one time or another I have been challenged and found that it is always best, know matter how hard it may seem at the time, to Praise the Lord even more. Stay steadfast to your convictions and never waver. Don't loose your concentration on the things you cannot control, just give them to God and continue to praise Him.

We see our lives as a day to day situation, happening or event, God sees the whole picture, knows where all the pieces go and knows exactly what the out come will be. God doesn't do things in our time, He does them in His time, which is all perfect, according to His will for our lives.
So the next time you feel far away from God because things are not going the way you want them to, just hunker down(as we say when the storms/hurricanes are coming), and get back to the basics. Forget about all the doubts roaming around in your mind and look around and give thanks to God for all the wonderful things He is doing in your life whether you actually feel like it or not.

The Spirit will return to you. Never doubt it, and never give up on it. It's real and has stood the test of time. Praise God!

25 comments:

Talk..to..Grams said...

What a great post!! I think we have all been there one time or another!
Thanks for your visit today!!
You have a beautiful blog! Hugs Grams

Tonja said...

Beautiful post! And every word is so, so true!

And praises to God for all the test results! He is good!

God bless you and hubby as you enjoy these summer days!

Edie said...

Praising Him with you Sharon! I'm so glad all your test results were good!

Much love to you my friend!!

Beth Herring said...

I just loved this today Sharon. I love to Praise my Jesus, but we have to remember to praise Him in ALL things.

Thanks for this great reminder.

Wisdom for Today said...

Just what I needed to hear today. Thanks:) I agree with every word of it. GOD is so GOOD!
Blessings---

More Than Words said...

Amen, Sharon!

What a great word of encouragement of all of us!!

I hope you are having a wonderful day, my friend!

Leaon Mary said...

WHOOhOoOOO
PRAISING HIM WITH YA GIRL!
ARMS RAISED
LIFTED
AND SHOUTING OUTLOUD!
GLORY*!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lynn - JnL4God said...

Wow how funny is that - you were on my mind and I came over and was reading your blog on my lunch but didn't have time to comment. Thanks for the prayers. Miss you and yes life gets so busy. Glad to hear you are opening your own church. Blessings to you and your husband.
Love ya,
Lynn

God Chaser said...

Sharon what a wonderful reminder God is always with us-no matter what we are feelings. Praise is gratefulness to Him even when life is not so grateful. Bless you my friend for reminding me I must prise my wy through troubles just s I prise my wy through the joy/good times.
Praise to God for your good report. I love the picture in your praise report of the lady with her hands lifted high. May I borrow it from you.

Joyfulsister said...

Amen Sis!!!

I love the scripture that says..
Put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness lift up your voice to God..Pray in the spirit and with thanksgiving Oh magnify the Lord!!!

Hugz Lorie

Debra said...

Oh Sharon...I have caught up on two posts of yours that I hadn't read. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you to pray for you-but I am so glad your tests were ok. You asked about cholesterol med-you probably got tons of answers, but my husband has been on Crestor for a long time and has had no bad effects. Just keep blood work current to make sure your liver is ok...his has been just fine.
I wanted to tell you how I loved your comments about the osprey. You have such a loving and tender heart for animals. I remember your little squirrel...

As for your post topic-I think thankfulness is the key-and thanking God is praising Him...it certainly opens the doors to true worship when we are humbly thankful.
I love you , my friend....don't ever forget that.
Debra

Sharon Brumfield said...

Amen girl!
When my mind starts to wonder...trying to figure it all out....I have begun to realize that I am starting to move God off the throne and trying to sit there myself. I have been guilty of this for so long. But He is a faithful patient God....and He has been teaching me to rest. And in that rest.....learning to trust.
I thank Him for this journey. Because if I had gotten "there" when I thought I was ready.....what a mess I would have made of His perfect plan.
So I thank Him for the journey...yes, even for the spots that I think are just to rough.
What a story we will have to tell when we finally arrive HOME!

LisaShaw said...

Beautifully said and absolutely true.

Praise is an awesome spiritual tool and weapon the LORD has given to us. We worship Him for Who He is. We praise Him for what He's doing and we thank Him for what he's done. When hell rises up the praises must go up higher.

I have seen many storms in my 43 yrs and am certain there will be more but the one thing that remains consistent in those storms -- GOD's faithfulness to bring me through it so how can I not praise Him.

Hallelujah!

Blessings to you dear sister. Good to stop by. Love you.

Just Be Real said...

Sharon, very beautiful and uplifting post. I appreciate it, thank you. ♥

Edie said...

Wow Sharon, I think this was written just for me today. :) Thanks for blessing me.

Much love to you my friend!!

Michele Williams said...

Beautfully written dear friend. I have missed visiting. I will try to do better... God bless you...

LisaShaw said...

Stopped back by today to love on you dear sister and continuing to PRAISE THE LORD with you!

Lots of love.

Joyfulsister said...

Amen Sistah,
Such a great reminder as well. I know that when the praises go up, the blessings come down!!!

Luv Ya Lorie

Michele Williams said...

Great post sweetie...

And congrats! You won the book, What have I God to Lose! Send me your mailing address so I can send you the book.

Love you...

Tami and Bobby Sisemore Family said...

That was a wonderful post.

Blessings,
Tami
PRAYING JEREMIAH HOME QUICKLY
www.tillGodbringsthemhome.blogspot.com

debrah said...

Just dropping by to say Hi.
Have a Blessed Week
Debrah

Sarah said...

Such a blessing today! You splashed me in God's goodness and filled me with His fresh reminder. Even when I throw a fit, run into His arms and run away, He is good. He carries me and yes, His Spirit will return. I will never doubt or give up.

Blessings from Costa Rica,
Sarah Dawn

Edie said...

This last Sunday we sang "Blessed Be the Name of the Lord" in church. I love this song when my faith is being tested. There is nothing like praising God when things are tough to help overcome the circumstances.

Much love!!

Elizabeth Mahlou said...

I would say that even when the day and life seem to be going to hell in a handbasket, as they say, one can always find something for which to praise God because God is with us all the time, not just during the good times. Remember Pollyanna? She had the right idea!

JOSH. :) said...

PRAISE THE LORD, I JUST WENT THROUGH A REALLY TOUGH TIME, I HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH A FEW AND IT IS SO HARD AS A NEW BORN AGAIN CHRISTIAN I BECAME A CHRISTIAN AND ACCEPTED GOD INTO MY LIFE IN SEPTEMBER AND I TELL YOU NOW HE HAS WORKED SO MUCH I NEVER SEE IT THOUGH SO HAVE FAITH IN THE ALMIGHTY KING HE IS SOOOOOO AMAZING AND HAY I AM IN ONE BUT HAY PRAISE HIS NAME, THIS STOREY/ PARAGRAPH AT THE TOP HELPED ME SO MUCH, GOD IS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1