Messaged Preached on July 31, 2022 by Deacon Jamie Hathaway
Praise is “an expression of approval” or “worship.” There are people who are watching us and in watching our Christian lifestyle, have learned what praise is all about and what it means to praise God. From our actions and their observations of us, others are blessed by what they see. And in this manner, we must be mindful of what we do in our good days and in our bad days. If we can praise God in the good that he has done for us, in our bad days we cannot turn around and complain and look downcast. How can you go from rejoicing to misery? You must go back to when Jesus was in it; always maintain a praise.
You can never change life circumstances, the bills will have to be paid, things will happen whether you want them to or not. However, despite all of this you must give thanks and maintain a praise. What you can do is control how you operate under the condition of life’s circumstances. Seek the Lord! Seek Godly counsel during that time, this will shift your focus from the circumstances.
David is a perfect example of shifting his focus away from life circumstances. Despite being anointed to be king, hated by Saul, and a target on his back, David “bless the Lord at all times” praise was continually in his mouth for the Lord. David did not let his circumstances stopped his praise; he went through it all blessing God. Can this be said of you? Are you going through the problems with praise continually? Or are we letting the circumstances take over? Take for example the life of Job, when his entire livelihood was destroyed, and the death of his children; Job relied on God and knew how to act under the condition of his situation. Job praised God and went through the hardship.
You must go through, what you must go through!
As a woman of God, yes, there are times when life circumstances are weighing heavy on my shoulders. Yet, I know where my help comes from, and I must always praise God Why? I have to get through it; someone is watching and paying attention to my actions. Therefore, in my actions, continually praising, that someone is learning to praise and thank God NO MATTER WHAT!
So, let Go! Let God have his way in your life and in the circumstances that is weighing heavy. It may not be easy but when there is a praise on your lips, the load becomes Gods to carry. Fixate your eyes on the relationship you have with God. If you strayed away, re-establish that relationship and do it daily. If you don’t have one, God is there with open arms to welcome you and start a personal relationship with you.
Therefore, don’t let the circumstances dictate your praise. You must go through it; it is for your good, but you don’t have to go through it alone.
Go through it with God!