Posts Tagged ‘praise’

Praising with Every Part of Me

Wednesday, May 4th, 2011

“Let all that I am praise the Lord,” says Psalm 104:35.

praising God on the beach

“That’s easier said than done,” says me.

I recall several of the biggest challenges I’ve faced/am facing:

  • Being separated from my newborn daughter when she was flown from Nepal to the US for surgery. International airlines refused to issue me a ticket, saying I was a medical high risk after having had a C-section.
  • Being in Hungary for ministry when my dad died back in Canada, and not being able to return for his funeral.
  • Being in Poland for ministry when my father-in-law died in the US, and not being present to comfort our kids at the loss of a third grandparent within three years.
  • Moving several times – uprooting our kids, saying goodbye to family and friends, and starting all over again.
  • Having hopes dashed by publishers’ and editors’ rejection letters.
  • Dealing with the constant pain of arthritic spurs in my neck.

My human nature is prone to whine when facing tough stuff. It likes sympathy. It relishes attention and the words, “Oh, you poor thing.” In a warped way, it enjoys wallowing in self-pity. But Scripture challenges me to a higher plane.

“Let all that I am praise the Lord,” it says. It offers no exception clause, and it encompasses every part of my being. Let all that I am praise the Lord, not just a part of me. Every day, no matter what befalls, I’m to immerse myself in the practice of praise even when my emotions would rather wet only my big toe. Believe me, I’ve had lots of opportunities to put this verse to the test.

What happens when you and I praise the Lord with our whole being, especially when we don’t feel like it? Our focus moves from our challenges to His character. From our woes to His eternal will. From our insufficiency to His sufficiency.  God changes our entire perspective, and we find inner strength and renewal to face whatever comes our way, because, after all, He dwells in the praises of His people. Transformation is guaranteed when God’s on site.

And so, I’ll continue praising with every part of me even when tempted to do otherwise. How about you?

Question: What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve ever faced, and how did practicing praise make a difference in your outlook?

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Insights About Fear and Praise

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

Yesterday I rode a Gold Wing motorbike for about six hours between Pasco and Snohomish, Washington. I usually cherish riding time because it gives me uninterrupted opportunity to ponder, pray, and praise. But yesterday’s experience was different. I pondered alright, but my thoughts sent me careening down a road shadowed with worry about a situation I’m currently facing. As the miles passed, my angst about this situation grew. I knew I had to do something and do it quick or fear and anxiety would consume me.

Past experience has taught me that praise is a powerful force when fighting fear. And so I put my head-knowledge into practice. I praised God for being sovereign in all (not merely some) circumstances. I praised Him for being wise, and for being faithful, and for being merciful. I praised Him for His strength and for His unfailing love. I also praised Him for redeeming our mistakes and turning them into something useful and good when we love Him. The result? Peace washed over me, slowly replacing my angst with a calm assurance that God was in control and I could rest in Him.

Praise isn’t a natural or easy response when messing with negative emotions. It takes effort and discipline to lasso and corral one’s thoughts. It requires deliberate action to turn them around and to focus them on the Truth of God’s promises. The effort is worth it, for then and then alone is when peace is restored.  

Psalm 35:9,10 describe how I felt yesterday upon making that effort: “Then I will rejoice in the LORD. I will be glad because he rescues me. With every bone in my body I will praise him: “LORD, who can compare with you?”

Fear’s weight lifted from my shoulders. I was finally able to relax and enjoy the ride and the beautiful scenery through which we passed. As we rounded a bend in the road to see majestic and snow-capped Mt. Rainer towering in the distance, I thought of God – the One who spoke it into being – and my heart sang, “Lord, who can compare with you? Surely I can trust You with every circumstance of my being.”

Today the same fear threatens to engulf me again. But I refuse to let it harm me. I’m rejecting its force by applying the power of praise as I did yesterday. There’s a battle raging, but praise will ultimately win.

Can you relate? What insights can you share with us about applying the power of praise when you feel afraid?

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