Praise

Do you ever have days or even long periods of time where your mind is numb or your stomach is sick? You feel like God is absent, like everyone and everything is against you. You might feel like you have this huge weight on your back or things in your life might not seem fair. These times are trying! You have all of these mixed emotions of anger, confusion, fear, sadness, loneliness, your heart is broken and you keep crying out to God but he doesn't answer. Your longing for God's guidance and wisdom.

When I go through these times I feel like running away where no one knows me and that is hard to do. We always want our problems and trials to go away quickly so we run. Realistically that's not going to happen and we have to face it all. One of the hardest things for me is praying for my enemies or people that have hurt me. When I do pray for them I find it one of the most freeing things ever. God asks us to do hard things during hard times. A close friend once told me

"Satan will bring his best before God brings his best."

Satan is always going to be fighting his hardest when he knows that God is working in our lives and when we are being obedient to God's will. The best thing and the hardest thing to do during these times is to praise. Praise your enemies and praise God. Once you do Satan will be defeated!

Just last night I read some scripture that gave me hope and reassured me that God is in control. Isaiah 60:20 says:"God will be your eternal light,your God will bathe you in splendor.Your sun will never go down,your moon will never fade.I will be your eternal light. Your days of grieving are over." This verse brought a huge smile to my face... a smile that I haven't felt in a long time. The last six words echoed in my head throughout the night and today as well. YOUR DAYS OF GRIEVING ARE OVER! God is good and at the right time he'll make it happen!

In Revelation Chapter 7 it talks about the people from the great tribulation and how they washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb. They're standing before God's throne praising him and serving him day and night. The last few verses in the chapter remind me that God is faithful and in due time he will bring us out of our hard times. "Then he told me, "These are those who come from the great tribulation, and they've washed their robes, scrubbed them clean in the blood of the Lamb. That's why they're standing before God's Throne. They serve him day and night in his Temple. The One on the Throne will pitch his tent there for them: no more hunger, no more thirst, no more scorching heat. The Lamb on the Throne will shepherd them, will lead them to spring waters of Life. And God will wipe every last tear from their eyes."

I am God. At the right time I'll make it happen. Isaiah 60:22(The Message)