Before a horrific storm hit my life, my affection for Jesus was short-lived. Oh, I’d call on Him here or there when I had a problem; but I remained in control of me.
When the storm came, every false idol, every bit of sinking sand was washed away; and I found Jesus to be faithful, true, and worth trusting even more than I trust myself.
And now, even in the sunny days, it is Jesus who is still my rock and my peace. He is the better, unchanging, solid ground.
I still find real, daily, run-to-Him relationship to be the sweeter than anything this world has to offer.
I know He is and will always be faithful. His ways are better than my ways.
Because of that, I’m forever thankful for the storm.
“And I’ll praise you in this storm
And I will lift my hands
That you are who you are
No matter where I am
And every tear I’ve cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise you in this storm”
—Casting Crowns
Many of us know this song.
Many of us have sung it literally and figuratively.
Many will choose today to offer a sacrifice of praise in the middle of our fiercest storms and our hardest battles.
God sees you friend.
Hebrews 13:15, talks about offering a “sacrifice to praise” but the verse right before sheds light on the motivation of those who do so— they seek the city to come (Heb 13:14).
For it is only with eyes on eternity that we can ever choose to praise God in the midst of the trials and tragedies in this day.
But, oh when we do…when we lift our praises to God, when we feel so incredibly unlike doing so, and thank Him…we find our strength renewed and others are drawn to the Lord.
So, if today you are in the battle, turn on the praise music.
Begin to count your blessings aloud.
Turn your eyes to eternity and remember one day ALL things will be made new! (Rev 21:5)
One day EVERY tear will be wiped from our eyes! (Rev 21:4)
But until then, God is with you. He will be your help and the lifter of your head! (Ps 3:3). He alone can bring good from the hardest of things. (Rom 8:28).
May our lips choose to offer a sacrifice of praise to Him! And as we do, we will be blessed with strength and hope and peace that far exceeds the bounds of this temporary life!
praiseHim
kimjaggers.com
If you would like to know my story and how God truly carried me in the day to day, and how He can carry you too, here’s a link to my book
Kim Jaggers Ministry 