When Your Life is Out of Sorts....Praise the Lord!

     Sheltering in place is about as much fun as a prolonged game of chess (no offense to those who love the game of chess but for those of us who don't, it would be murder).  Yes, we have television, the internet, our cell phones, but it is not the same as fellowshipping with flesh and blood people.  Screen time is also not a healthy thing to do day in and day out.  So what is it we need to do that will relieve the stress and strain of our shut-in life right now?  A solution I have found that never fails to lift me up is praising the Lord.
     Psalm 42:5 tells us:  "Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?  Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God."  When we find ourselves becoming irritable or impatient to get on with our lives outside of our homes, we need to remind ourselves that this is a temporary situation.  We do not need to be upset, but instead, look forward to the days ahead when life will resume its normal course of activities.  Some of us lead such busy lives, we needed a break from the crush of activities.  Others of us, needed time to think about the many blessings that God has given to us in the past.  It is how we choose to look at this situation that makes all the difference, and when we choose to praise God instead of complaining, our lives are the richer for it.
     Recently, my husband and I spent some time discussing some of the funny things that have happened to our family over the years.  Not only did it bring on laughter as we recalled them, but it also gave us perspective.  We thought of all the ways the Lord has blessed us through the ups and downs of life.  This leads to praising God who is the author of our faith when we spend time in such recollection.  Often in the Psalms, the Jewish writers would list the many ways that God had delivered them and kept them.  When we think on what He has done for us, we cannot help but rejoice.  We need to take time to look back and be thankful.
      Another thing that never fails to lift my spirits is listening to praise music.  Often when I have to do some task I would rather not do, I turn on praise songs or hymns.  Somehow filling the quiet of our
homes with lyrics that glorify the Lord also helps to bring joy.  This is especially true if the day has been hectic.  Lets face it, if you are working from home and homeschooling the children as well this can get anyone out of sorts; so this is the best way to change the atmosphere in a positive way.
     In these unique times right now, we can also use technology to praise the Lord.  Our home group usually meets on Wednesday evenings in person for prayer, praise and Bible study.  However, now we are not able to meet so we have turned to FaceBook Messenger Video Chat as a way to see one another weekly for a time of prayer and praise.  Each time we have a session, I feel refreshed because we have been able to talk to the Lord about the good things going on in our lives as well as the needs.  Praying and praising over the internet has definitely been a source of blessing.
      A song recorded by "The Imperials" and Russ Taff has long been a favorite of mine
called "Praise the Lord" .  The words go like this:
     Praise The Lord
When you’re up against a struggle that shatters all your dreams,
And your hopes have been cruelly crushed by Satan’s manifested schemes;
And you feel the urge within you to submit to earthly fears,
Don’t let the faith you’re standing in seem to disappear.

Chorus:
Praise the Lord! He can work through those who praise Him.
Praise the Lord! For our God inhabits praise.
Praise the Lord! For the chains that seem to bind you,
Serve only to remind you that they drop powerless behind you
When you praise Him.

Now Satan is a liar and he wants to make us think
That we are paupers when he knows himself we’re children of the King
So lift up the mighty shield of faith for the battle must be won
We know that Jesus Christ is risen so the work’s already done

Chorus:
Praise the Lord! He can work through those who praise Him.
Praise the Lord! For our God inhabits praise.
Praise the Lord! For the chains that seem to bind you,
Serve only to remind you that they drop powerless behind you
When you praise Him.

Praise the Lord! He can work through those who praise Him.
Praise the Lord! For our God inhabits praise.
Praise the Lord! For the chains that seem to bind you,
Serve only to remind you that they drop powerless behind you
When you praise Him.
     We must remember when we are out of sorts that God inhabits the praises of His people.  If we will take time to sing, laugh and recall His blessings as well as reaching out by phone or technology, we can make our days joy-filled once again.  Be encouraged as we praise the Lord together.  Selah