Amanda BethSharing the Truths Behind the TRUTH

Nov 22nd Monday’s Blog: Thanksgiving – The Reason Behind Praise

I pulled out my journal I have been writing in since 2002. As I was flipping through it, I noticed on every page I had written about some trial I was going through at the time. Reading some of the trials brought me to tears. I wanted to say to myself, “Look ahead! Stop worrying! It works out on the next page. God got me through it!”

If we could all write down our problems today and then flip the page ahead and write down: “It all worked out. God got me through it.” how much more would we find ourselves praising God instead of worrying.

…give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

—1 Thessalonians 5:18

I used to wonder why God told us to praise Him. I remember thinking “Does God say that because He needs our praise?” But I knew in my heart that wasn’t the reason. I knew it had to be for our benefit.

God soon revealed to me why He desires our praises. Several years ago, I created an online praise report group where people could come and share their stories about how God was working in their lives. When I wasn’t seeing God work in my life it often encouraged me to see Him work in the lives of others. I knew God was not partial to anyone, so it helped me keep the faith, believing He would work in my life as well. So I created the group to bring encouragement to others.

The site started out well, but then slowly came down to only me posting. During that time of praise I noticed there was a significant difference in my life. Another woman who had shared her praises expressed the same thing. She felt more joyful when she lifted her heart in praise.

We often wait to praise God until something good happens in our lives, when we should be praising Him before it happens. Praise keeps us looking expectantly to God instead of focusing on our problems.

I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

—Psalm 9:1-2

I believe praise shows God that we trust Him. When we trust Him, we won’t be stressed out trying to solve our problems on our own. Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

We tend to bring God our prayer requests more often than our praises. Jesus said in Matthew 6:9-10 this is how we should pray, beginning with: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

We are also told in Psalm 100:4 to: “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to HIM and praise HIS name.”

Our prayers seem to mostly be, “Father, help me … Give me … Provide for me … What about me….” I had a revelation of this as I was at a church play one year. In one scene, all the individuals on the stage were crying out to God at the same time, each separately sharing their own troubles. Being in the front row, after about a minute of listening to their moans, it started to get overwhelming and I thought, “My gosh, is that how we sound to you, Lord?”

If I had created a prayer request group, I don’t think it would have ended like my praise report group did. We are gladly willing to share our requests, but not as willing to share our praises.

With Thanksgiving coming up, we often think about what we are thankful for. What if we challenge ourselves to be thankful the other 364 days a year?

I believe we would see our lives dramatically change for the better. We would be happy and enjoying our lives, instead of worrying and being upset all the time. In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus told us not to worry about our lives and not to worry about what we need. He said in verse 33, “seek first HIS kingdom and HIS righteousness, and ALL these things will be given to you as well.”

If we spent our days praising God and seeking Him we would find our needs being met. When I am filled with praise and enjoying God, my faith grows and I start trusting Him to provide for my needs. Praise strengthens our faith which opens the door in our hearts to receive what Jesus died to give us.

2 Corinthians 1:20 says, “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God.” Everything God has promised in His Word has been given to us through Christ. So when a situation comes up, we should praise God that He has already provided the solution through Jesus.

The solution may not always be what we think it should be, but it will be what we need. In my journal, all my trials didn’t necessarily work out on the next page the way I wanted them to. They did, however, work out for my good. I may have not seen the good right away, but looking back now, I can see how God used those trials for my benefit.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

—Romans 8:28

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**Something to think about this week**

I want to challenge you to ‘flip the page’ today and fill your heart and your lips with praise that God has already provided the solution to every situation you will ever face.

Carry Jeremiah 29:11 with you to remind you this week, and every day after, that God is for you and wants the best for you. Thank Him! Be filled praise! And have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

—Jeremiah 29:11

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**Come back next Monday as I share more of God’s truths and the reasons behind the truths.

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All Bible verses are taken from the TNIV, unless otherwise noted.