Praise the Lord
I have been told lately that my honesty is encouraging. I hope that’s a good thing. I never want to come across as saying that it is okay to do anything besides follow after God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength. I struggle more than I would like, and I admit that to communicate that you are not alone. But the fact is that you have a Father who wants to lift you up above the struggles and trials of life. You should be constantly learning and growing. That is what the Christian life is all about.
The last couple days, I have been thinking about the prayers God has answered recently. I think I sometimes take these for granted but I want to be faithful to thank God every time He moves one of those mountains. He doesn’t owe me a thing and yet He mercifully listens to my heart and acts in the way that would be best for me. I rejoice when the answer to those prayers is Yes but I also know that, if the answer is No, there is a reason. It does not mean that He is any less good.
We are told to praise God in every circumstance. This is not easy but it is vital. When I am praising is when I feel God’s presence the most. I am no longer focused on myself but I am focused on Him. Don’t let your trials bring you down. Look up for your redemption draws nigh. If not in this world, then, for the Christian, it will be in the next.
Praise is earned. As is trust and respect. God hasn’t done anything to deserve praise, trust or respect. He blesses some massively and he tortures others. If you’re one of the “lucky” ones, your life just sucks. Nothing worth praising in that.
Jeff, God deserves praise, trust, respect, and so much more, simply because of who He is. It is we humans who are unworthy. God is not obligated to bless anyone, nor is He obligated to treat all people the same. It sounds like you have had some difficult experiences. I’m sorry to hear that, and I will pray for you.