Life has its hard knocks. But what is your attitude? Is it one of Gratitude? Do you thank and praise God for everything that comes your way?
If a loved one dies, do you find something to praise and thank God for? If one of your children does something stupid and goes to jail, do you praise God? Or do you get upset and rail at God for letting it happen?
If you lost your job and could not pay your bills, would you cry and complain, or would you praise God and thank Him for what you do have?
If you have a health crisis, would you feel sorry for yourself, or would you praise God.
God inhabits the praise of His people.
Psalm 22:3
KJV "But thou art holy, O thou who inhabitest the praises of Israel”.
NIV "Yet you are enthroned as the Holy one, you are the praise of Israel.
When we praise God we bring him closer to us in a real way. It is like our praise makes him more real in our mind, down to the depths of our being.
An attitude of Gratitude builds a foundation of Joy. The world can take away our happiness. They cannot take away our inner joy.
Happiness is based upon the things that are happening to or around us. We can pursue happiness, but when the source of that happiness is taken away we are left with nothing.
If we build a foundation of joy, by developing an attitude of gratitude, we build on the character of God. We infuse his character into our very being. When the tough times come, and they surly will, not even Satan himself can take away our joy.
Superficial Christians are up one minute and down the next. It is because they base their Christian walk on happiness. Our fellow humans and Satan have a way of taking away our happiness. They succeed because we have built our life on the shifting sand of happiness.
To be a solid, confident, unshakable Christian, praise Him. When you get up in the morning and your body aches, praise Him. When you miss your flight or buss, praise Him. When your car breaks down or runs out of gas, Praise Him. When your child breaks your most precious possession, Praise HIM. When you are preparing your favorite meal and the key ingredient is missing, PRAISE GOD.!
Develop an attitude of Gratitude to God. Thank Him. Praise Him for everything, even when you don’t feel like it.
"Praise God from who all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.”
Philippians 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say Rejoice.
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