Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. Plans not to harm you but to give you a future and a hope.

 

In the midst of horrific pain and suffering, Paul and Silas sang praises to God. After being severely beaten, put in stocks, and thrown in the dungeon, they praised God. They did not sing songs of self-pity while they cried out in pain and begged for help. They didn’t think God had failed them or called them to a place where they would be tortured. They didn’t blame God or believe that the vision Paul had to go to Macedonia was nothing but a bad dream.

 

What a lesson for all of us today. I dare say that most Christians today would not give God praise for being beaten and thrown in prison. God wants us to trust Him in ALL situations. He wants us to sing praises to Him instead of singing the blues all the time.

 

If you struggle with depression, the remedy is praise. It is a physical impossibility to sing upbeat praise songs and be depressed at the same time. Our brains don’t work that way. We can't be positive and negative simultaneously. Science has proven that it is not possible.

 

Therefore, we have a choice to make. We can give God praise or we can blame Him and be angry. We can have the Joy of the Lord or we can wallow in self-pity. The situation doesn’t matter. Whatever it is, God is greater. That bad thing that is happening, Jesus nailed it to the Cross. Whatever Satan is attacking you with the shed Blood of the Lamb of God has covered it and God is waiting for you to trust Him.

 

To not trust God for absolutely EVERYTHING is sin. What? That’s what the Word of God says. For whatever is not of faith, is sin. (Romans 14:23) Without faith it is impossible to please Him. For he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)

 

God created us to worship Him and praise Him. This is what we are created to do. Jesus suffered and died on the Cross so we can walk in Victory over sin and every attack of the enemy. God has a Plan for you today. He is waiting for you to trust Him and seek Him with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. To trust Him is to believe in Him. To believe is to have faith in His ability to do it. He CAN do it. Whatever it is, He can do it. Greater is He that is in you than he that is in this world. (1 John 4:4)

 

If you believe God is greater than Satan, then rise up out of your bed of affliction, depression, and self-pity and give Him praise! Start singing and thank Him because you KNOW and BELIEVE that what He is doing is good. Trust Him. Believe in Him. Place your faith in the Finished Work of Christ on the Cross. The enemy has no hold on you or power over you; none whatsoever! Put him under your feet where he belongs!

 

Your song of praise will……….turn the tide……….in your life!

 

Thank you, thank you, Jesus!         Doreen

 

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