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,...
Before we get too deep into how to praise God in the storm and being thankful to God for what He has done in our lives despite challenges and suffering, I'd like us to first understand what God says about being thankful. God has a lot to say about being thankful. Here is a new one of my favorites: "Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened." -Romans 1:21 This scripture makes me think about how we may know God, but if we don't worship Him and thank Him for what He has given us, we are likely to become more...
