Scriptural Foundation:
James 1:2-4 New King James (NKJV)
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
Hebrews 13:15 New King James (NKJV)
Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
1 Peter 4:16 New King James (NKJV)
Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.
Reflection:
Have you ever been so mad that you felt like your head would pop? The last thing one thinks about at that time is praising God. Instead we want to talk about the issue with a friend, prepare a pre-meditated response the next time we come across that situation. Anger, similarly to sadness or hopeless are jarring emotions that draw us out of the spiritual realm into the natural.
The Bible says in Galatians 6:8 whoever sows to their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Along those same lines, my pastor shared a great quote recently with the congregation: “If Satan can keep you in the sense realm he will destroy you, but if you keep him in the faith realm we will keep him under our feet.” At the time the quote went off in my spirit like a bomb. Not realizing, the Lord was preparing me for the upcoming. That week turned out to be very challenging on multiple fronts. The Holy Spirit knew and that is why it had such an impact on me when I initially heard it. With my daily devotionals, I was able to stay in rest despite what was going on around me.
When waves of emotion start crashing against your soul the only solace we have is the Word of God. It is very counter intuitive to the flesh to praise, when all you feel like doing is screaming; praise, when all you feel like doing is crying; or praise, when all you feel like doing is ignoring the situation. Screaming, crying, or ignoring will only keep you in bondage. The Lord inhabits the praises of His people. Think about it for a minute, praising Him through words or songs breaks the bonds keeping you in the sense realm and transfers you back into the faith realm. That alone should have you shouting right now! There is power in praise and worship. Don’t ever let the devil steal your praise. In James 3:10 it says, out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Praise is the fuel that drives you towards victory every time. What a better witness for Christ, by responding to people and situations in the Spirit rather than in the flesh. So the next time you feel like your head is going to pop, take a deep breath in and exhale out the emotion that is trying to over take your spirit and praise the Lord instead.
The only way to truly be thankful is to have lost something.
Praise the Lord.
The only way to truly be grateful is to have lived through something.
Praise the Lord.
The only way to truly be humble is to have a testimony to share with some on the other side.
Praise the Lord.
Live each day as if it were your last; listen with compassion; and love unconditionally like our Lord has taught us to.
Seeking Revelation:
Grab your notebook:
- Sit down and honestly reflect on the individuals and/or situations that “push your buttons”
- Present your list to the Lord and ask Him what emotion(s) is drawing you way from Him.
- The next time you find yourself feeling “fleshly”, make it a point to pause and praise yourself from under that emotional bondage.
- Repeat this exercise often.