All this Thanksgiving month, I've been sharing about how to Praise God in the Storm. I've talked about what God Says about Being Thankful, and What Being Thankful Doesn’t Mean. I've talked about how sometimes things that friends and family communicate to us can make our struggles more difficult and about things we can communicate to ourselves that can help us during struggles like some things that will help us to remember. I'd never seen any practical advice with tips on exactly HOW to praise God in the storm and be thankful so I posted two articles on things we can do that will help us to be thankful and praise Him even during our most difficult struggles. Finishing up...
On Monday I shared some things we can do that will help us become thankful so that we can praise God in the midst of the storms of our lives. Here are some more things that have helped me over the years and I pray they help you as well. 1. Remember that joy and happiness are two different things Keep things in proper perspective. Happiness, as defined by Merriam Webster as good fortune or prosperity, a state of well-being and contentment, joy or a pleasurable or satisfying experience. Joy is listed as the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires, delight, the expression or exhibition of such emotion, gaiety,...
Most Christians have heard many times how we are to praise God in the storm, but what has always frustrated me is that nobody has ever told us how to do that. It's hard to just begin feeling thankful when you're in the midst of a financial mess or a loved one's death. Merely understanding that you should do something doesn't help you do it. All devotionals on this topic will tell you to read the Bible and pray. This is obvious since we are trying to get closer to God and further away from our pain or struggle. This is also something we should do when we are not struggling. But just reading the Bible when you are struggling...
So far I've introduced you to the idea that we need to learn how to Praise God in the Storm, what God Says about Being Thankful, and What Being Thankful Doesn't Mean. Sometimes things that friends and family communicate to us can make our struggles more difficult, but there are things we can communicate to ourselves that can help us during struggles. Today I'd like us to consider some things that will help us remember that God is not out to get us when struggles come. God isn't punishing us and that there is a reason and maybe even a blessing around the corner. Here's what we need to remember during hard times: 1. Even if we cannot feel Him,...
One of the frustrating things about going through struggles is when you hear other Christians say things like: "The only reason you are struggling is because you don't have enough faith." "Your problems are because of your sin." "If you would only pray harder, God would answer your prayer." These are not only unhelpful, but they are often also unbiblical. Comments like these don't allow the one struggling the freedom to share their feelings and find a solution because they feel condemned or accused. Paul suffered from many health issues and was never healed during his lifetime here on earth. Did Paul have enough faith in God? If God didn't heal Paul, it might be that God chooses not to...
