written on   APRIL 8, 2015

We had bible study the other night and it was about the sacrifice God had made for us. What HE did for us to have salvation. And, it was bible study, so there was an open forum. Lots of people asking questions about why. Why he died for us and what WE need to do to show our gratitude.

The bible study kind of dwindled down to us having to PRAISE HIM no matter what happens in life. Whether we are happy or sad… broken or hurt… we MUST PRAISE HIM for the sacrifice He made for us in the first place.

One lady asked, “How do we Praise Him when we are sad? How are we supposed to be happy about our life when we feel our life is falling apart? How do I do it?”

A few people gave their opinions and one guy didn’t even have an answer. He just kind of danced around the topic and gave a couple of bible verses and probably hoped the question was forgotten. Which it was.

I couldn’t help but be upset about the question go, somewhat unanswered. I mean, I get the Lord sacrificed everything for us. I love tat about Him… I really do. And I give ALL the Glory to Him in EVERYTHING!!! But I think this woman should get some human advice on how to do it. I was going to speak up and try to give this woman some advice… give her my opinion on how to be joyful in a bad situation… let her know that she wasn’t alone in trying to understand how to PRAISE HIM when you feel like your life is falling apart.

This is what I should have said if I had raised my hand:

God is good! And He is good ALL the time. And YES, we should praise Him all the time. Because He is worthy of ALL our praises. He is worthy of ALL the Glory!!!

But we are all human. We are spirits wandering this world. And unfortunately we, as human form, have to live in this world. We are made of bone and flesh. We breathe in air as blood pumps through our veins. Our hearts function on blood and oxygen. And we also have a brain that sometimes works. We are human. And our human side has emotions. We have thoughts and ideas. Our human side has feelings. We get happy and excited and sometimes we even get sad or mad.

I remember going through my trials that there were times that I had no energy to DO anything. There were days when I didn’t want to get out of bed. I wanted to sleep all day, everyday. I didn’t want to wake up and live my nightmares. I was in shock from the traumatic events that surrounded my babies. I was numb to all feelings except for despair. I was in so much pain, physically and mentally, that I was numb.

How did I Praise Him? I had to get to the point to where all I had was Him. I had spoken to a close friend of mine once and I was telling her how I know I am not supposed to be worrying. I am not supposed to be scared, or stressed or anything… but I was. As a mother seeing her children fight for their lives, I was. She told me one simple thing… we are human.

We are allowed to be sad or angry. But we MUST remember, in the end, it will all work out according to His plan. I had gotten to the point to where all I could do was fall to my knees. But I knew it was God that was holding me in place. And for the simple chore of just waking up, I said THANK YOU LORD. Because it was one more day that my babies were alive. Thank you! Thank You! Thank You!

There were a lot of days that it was hard for me to function… but I knew, somehow, I would survive. And for me, THAT was enough.

It says in the bible:

(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

16.Rejoice Always.

17.pray without ceasing.

18.in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Everyday, if you just tell Him THANK YOU for one simple thing… life will get easier. It will get better. Be thankful for one thing… one thing a day. Write it down in a journal… on your calendar… in your notes in your phone. You can look back and be thankful for all the good things He has done… even on the worst days, something good happened.

Keep praying… keep seeking Him… Be thankful. And Rejoice in Him Always.