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View Full Version : Where are the praises in times of trouble?


LeliAne
28th June 2007, 04:00 PM
:amen:
John 16:33
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulations: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.


Nothing has moved me more in my life then witnessing the resilience of one who has been through their hardest moments yet they have it in them to praise the Lord and thank Him.

Do you think they're thanking him for giving them air to breathe when the pain in their lives takes away their ability to inhale and exhale? Do you think a burdened mother who makes a meal out of macaroni and butter for her children is thankful to God that they will not go to bed hungry. What about the parents who've outlived their child, to find out it wasnt drugs but an illness that swept him away in an instant?

Is there praise and thanksgiving in our lives when we are faced with such tragic events? In the battles of life can we see to raising our hands and worshiping when all we realy want to do is dwell in a hiding place that no one knows of?

I admit I have wanted to disappear and go away. I have had some tradgedies that would have stolen someone's faith from them. Praising and worshiping, thanking God from where I was at...........selfishly it wasnt my first instinct. I know that I have let the enemy steal my joy. You know that if you're in a moment when your mind tells you, you are not worthy, your a loser or that you just a weak being; a thief is busy at wrecking your life.

Where can we find in our soul to praise Him when we cant even find ourselves. I have found it on my knees, in the silence of my mind when once again I am relieved of the heartache or fear even if it's long enough to realize God has come to me and given refuge. What a Sweet Savior we have. I have praised our Lord in times of trouble, grief, sorrow, shame, stress, fear, persecution, and loss; it was a soft whispered "thank you for loving me."

It is so simple to love the Lord but we make it the most difficult task when it should be instinctual. From the above circumstances these people were experiencing hard times but in their relationship with God, they were thankful for God had not forsaken them. How easy is it to Praise the Lord and give thanksgiving when our hearts hurt; pretty easy, just say thank you for you jave not forsaken me.

rocklife
28th June 2007, 04:42 PM
thank you for encouragements. It also reminds me of Corrie ten Boom in the concentration camps. Her sister encouraged her in discouragement to even thank God for the lice. Corrie didn't see any point to that, but she did it anyway, even though the lice was very irritating to the flesh. Corrie discovered after that, the lice kept the abusive guards away from their building which allowed them a little bit more freedom in their quarters to talk more openly and even have bible studies.

I am also encouraged by Jesus' blessings for the poor, those who mourn, the persecuted, in the Gospels Beatitudes. Thank you again for the encouragement to always be thankful :)

JAS4Yeshua
28th June 2007, 04:59 PM
I posted something similar in another thread, on how to stay focused on the Lord during trials. From experience, I know that it is sometimes difficult to focus on the Lord, so I posted a devotion that might help some people (strong and weak alike) draw closer to the Lord during trials.

http://www.christianforums.com/t5585035-focus-on-the-lord-in-trials.html

I don't normally cross-reference one of my posts in this fashion, but it seemed appropriate in this case. Forgive me if I was out of line. :)

jive4005
28th June 2007, 07:23 PM
If you make praising God (from the heart & with pure motive) a habit, it will be easier to praise Him when times get really tough. It is that way for me. I believe it is in those hard times that God perfects us. Keeping up the praises will make life easier and more enjoyable (re: full of "joy") for us... and for God

CHristsaves
28th June 2007, 07:35 PM
A truly beautiful post! I find that in the midst of my troubles I am able to look around and see the glass "half full". I thank God for holding me up when noone else could or would.

amadeus2
29th June 2007, 06:42 AM
"But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel." Psalm 22:3

According to David, God was dwelling in the 'praises' of Israel. The children of Israel were His people. If we His people and we praise Him, then He must be dwelling in our praises as well. If the praise really comes from our heart and He is in our heart then it must be True.

Kelly
29th June 2007, 06:49 AM
I'll be the first to admit my praises are fewer in times of trouble, but not my pleas. Often however, I find that my troubles do not compare to many Christian's troubles in the third world or in countries that oppress the Gospel.

LeliAne
29th June 2007, 09:35 AM
I'll be the first to admit my praises are fewer in times of trouble, but not my pleas. Often however, I find that my troubles do not compare to many Christian's troubles in the third world or in countries that oppress the Gospel.

Once again I am humbled, my heart hurts so very badly for those who in third world countries.....also when compared to them I should be silenced in my suffering...it has never been as difficult as they may suffer.

I always tell others "if you think you have problems, knock on your neighbor's door!"
Peace out Brother!

bithiah2
30th June 2007, 02:30 AM
:amen:

calidog
30th June 2007, 03:01 AM
Perhaps it's in these times we experience peace that surpasses understanding as promised.