Psalm 34:2 I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
The simplest spiritual steroid to cheer our soul is thankfulness. Gratitude and thankfulness will change the tapestry of our soul from dark and dull to bright and beautiful. The quick remedy to sadness, sorrowfulness and grumpiness is to stop asking questions or analyzing the facts and start thanking him for the little mercies. When you are climbing a hard road of sickness, loss or disappointment, rather than dissecting the problem and investigating the probabilities, start thanking God for the basics. Thank God for the breath of life, for the fresh air and for the birds chipping on the tree. Thank God for your family, friends, and even the foes who directed you to God’s destiny. A thankful spirit is like a steroid shot to a sulking soul.
Psalm 34 was written after a pathetic incident in the life of David. The great warrior with a special anointing and calling was in a life threatening situation. He went to Abimelek, the king of Gath, for asylum but realized that he would trap himself in a snare, so he pretended to be insane. When the men of Gath saw David they recognized him as the giant killer. So he pretended to be insane in their presence; and while he was in their hands he acted like a madman, making marks on the doors of the gate and letting saliva run down his beard (1 Samuel 21:13). After a humiliating, heartbreaking and horrifying encounter, David did not get agitated or annoyed; He worshipped and thanked the Lord for His grace and mercy that protected his life. He did not sink in self-pity but started worshipping the Lord. The perfect steroid to treat and cheer the oppressed, depressed, disheartened and discouraged soul is ‘Praise and Worship’. I will boast only in the LORD; let all who are helpless take heart (vs 2).
Praise is the antidote to distress and disappointment. A garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair (Isaiah 61:3b). Thankfulness will get rid of the mourning gown and put on the garment of praise.
The Balance of information and experience:
1. Extinguish: Thankfulness is like fire extinguishers. In distress, don’t allow sorrow to overwhelm you. Start thanking the Lord for the simple mercies and quench the fire of anger and animosity. If we allow the fire of agitation to set us ablaze with anger, it will burn us down with bitterness and depression.
2. Exercise: Thankfulness is a daily exercise that will keep our spiritual man agile and alive.
3. Energize: Thankfulness is like the energy drink that increases energy and enhances mental alertness and physical performance. Thankfulness will disperse the cloud of doubt and disbelief.
Thankfulness in all situations is the spiritual steroids that will strengthen the soul.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, give me the grace to praise rather than to whine. Thank you for everything that is happening in my life as your wisdom and your ways are much better than mine. Amen.
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