34 May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the LORD.
–Psalm 104:33-34
Blue Light Special!
What do you do when you are feeling blue? Some people like to shop, treating themselves to something nice in order to pick themselves up. Some people like to eat . . . but we all know the consequences of that trap. Some people like to wallow in their misery and even use it to seek validation from others who feel sorry for them.
I have found that the very best way to overcome the blues is to praise God. It works every time. There is absolutely no way you can continue to feel bad after you have poured out your heart to the Lord in song.
Can't sing you say? No problem – there are lots of good worship CDs or you can download music from the internet. There's also the radio if you happen to be a low-tech kind of person. And even if you couldn't carry a tune in a bucket, God doesn't care what you sound like. Sing your praises to Him, off-key and at the top of your lungs. Be proud of that awful voice of yours and make sure the neighbors can hear too! They might just find Jesus (you never know!).
The point is that it doesn't matter the abilities you do or don't have, it doesn't matter where you are, it doesn't matter how bad you feel, and it doesn't even matter if you make up the words as you go along – the point is to sing. Sing praises to God with everything that is in you! He will hear you and He will minister to you as you minister to Him. And even if it's just for a few minutes that you feel better about your situation, a few minutes can be a wonderful start to turning your focus off of your situation and back on to Him and how wonderful He is and the marvelous things He has done in your life and will continue to do.
Let's face it, we all go through times of depression and doubt – it's one of the many tools the enemy uses to take our focus off of our Savior. It's recognizing when those time are upon us and conditioning ourselves to react positively by having a praise plan at the ready. We do it for other disasters right? How many of you have an earthquake kit? How many know exactly what to do if the tornado sirens should sound? Like boy scouts, we are prepared for just about any emergency – except for when the enemy attacks. It's time to create your Emergency Blue Light Preparedness Kit (EBLPK for short).
This might all feel silly to you but it really shouldn't. As effective Christians we should be proactive in our faith and always be at the ready for when the enemy comes prowling around. Give it a try, it might just save you from wallowing around in the pit of despair as you Rejoice In The Lord!
Prayer
Father, I pray for all my brothers and sisters who are going through tough physical and emotional times right now. I ask that You wrap them in the warmth of Your loving Spirit and place in their hearts the urgency to praise You. Remind them of all of the wonderful things You have done in their lives and put a new song in their hearts. Help them to put aside any feelings of inadequacy so that they can sing praises to You with total abandon. I thank You for the joy You bring to me whenever I sing of Your love and faithfulness and i will continue to sing - all the days of my life!
Have an awesome day everyone!
–Richard
I have found that the very best way to overcome the blues is to praise God. It works every time. There is absolutely no way you can continue to feel bad after you have poured out your heart to the Lord in song.
Can't sing you say? No problem – there are lots of good worship CDs or you can download music from the internet. There's also the radio if you happen to be a low-tech kind of person. And even if you couldn't carry a tune in a bucket, God doesn't care what you sound like. Sing your praises to Him, off-key and at the top of your lungs. Be proud of that awful voice of yours and make sure the neighbors can hear too! They might just find Jesus (you never know!).
The point is that it doesn't matter the abilities you do or don't have, it doesn't matter where you are, it doesn't matter how bad you feel, and it doesn't even matter if you make up the words as you go along – the point is to sing. Sing praises to God with everything that is in you! He will hear you and He will minister to you as you minister to Him. And even if it's just for a few minutes that you feel better about your situation, a few minutes can be a wonderful start to turning your focus off of your situation and back on to Him and how wonderful He is and the marvelous things He has done in your life and will continue to do.
Let's face it, we all go through times of depression and doubt – it's one of the many tools the enemy uses to take our focus off of our Savior. It's recognizing when those time are upon us and conditioning ourselves to react positively by having a praise plan at the ready. We do it for other disasters right? How many of you have an earthquake kit? How many know exactly what to do if the tornado sirens should sound? Like boy scouts, we are prepared for just about any emergency – except for when the enemy attacks. It's time to create your Emergency Blue Light Preparedness Kit (EBLPK for short).
- Pick out 4 or 5 of your favorite praise and worship songs - about 30 minutes worth.
- Burn them on to a CD or download them as a group or album to your mp3 player.
- Learn all the words to the songs (typing or writing them out will help you learn them quickly).
- Put the CD and written lyrics in an envelope and put it in your night stand or somewhere you can easily find them (in case of emergency).
- Do a few "fire drills."
This might all feel silly to you but it really shouldn't. As effective Christians we should be proactive in our faith and always be at the ready for when the enemy comes prowling around. Give it a try, it might just save you from wallowing around in the pit of despair as you Rejoice In The Lord!
Prayer
Father, I pray for all my brothers and sisters who are going through tough physical and emotional times right now. I ask that You wrap them in the warmth of Your loving Spirit and place in their hearts the urgency to praise You. Remind them of all of the wonderful things You have done in their lives and put a new song in their hearts. Help them to put aside any feelings of inadequacy so that they can sing praises to You with total abandon. I thank You for the joy You bring to me whenever I sing of Your love and faithfulness and i will continue to sing - all the days of my life!
Have an awesome day everyone!
–Richard
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