High or Low: What is My Level of Praise?
24 Jan 2012 1 Comment
in Devotionals2 Tags: attitude, Bible Study, chronic pain, Divine presence, Failed back syndrome, God, how my attitude affect relationship with god, Jehovah, praising god, Psalm, Tony Evans, worship
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.” (Psalm 42:5)
Tony Evans recently posted this comment on his web page: “When your level of complaining is at an all time high, it could mean that your level of praise is at an all time low.” As it read it, I realized just how true it is. As I continued to think on it, I questioned: What makes my level of praise hit an all time low?
It didn’t take me long to figure out the answer. I’ve recently been doing a Bible study on “In the Presence of Jehovah” based on the song sung by Damaris Carbaugh. When I spend time in the presence of God, my level of praise rises to new heights. Being in God’s presence is comforting, encouraging, worshipful, humbling, and life changing.
When I spend time worshiping and praising God, that transfers to all aspects of my life. God provides new perspectives and insights. In God’s presence, He confirms that He knows exactly what is happening and He is in control of it all. He has a plan and is accomplishing that plan.
Right now, God’s plan for me includes chronic pain and headaches. On the high pain days, it’s easy to let my level of praise become at an all time low. However, knowing that God is in control, I can refocus and allow my level of praise to increase.
There is a thought that, “If you live with someone long enough, you not only begin to think like them, you look like them too.” I want that to be true of my relationship with God. I want to spend time in God’s presence, so that His thoughts become my thoughts and I want people to see Christ in me and through me.
If my complaining becomes an “all time high”, and my praise hits an “all time low”; than I am over due for some time in God’s presence. When my relationship is right with God, being in God’s presence is the most secure, peaceful, and encouraging place I can be—even on high pain days. Creating a positive day is almost automatic when I’ve been In the Presence of Jehovah.
Prayer: Lord, help me to see beyond the pain to the hope You’ve given me. May my praise for You remain at an all time high.
About the Author:
Rhonda Sawtelle lives with chronic headaches and pain due to failed back surgery syndrome. Her philosophy is “Create a positive day!” She enjoys watching football, digital scrapbooking, and reading. To read more about how Rhonda creates a positive day, even while living with pain, visit her blog: http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com.
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When you start complaining a little too much, how do you recognize it? Does a family member mention it to you? Do you hear yourself saying it and recognize it for what it is?
Feb 11, 2012 @ 11:15:11
Thanks for the post. Feel free to drop by our site and have a read.
As a heavy computer user you’ll probably find some of our information on back pain and posture useful.