DON'T WORRY, PRAISE GOD!
- Key Verse
- "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." (Psalm 42: 5 & 11)
READ THE CHAPTER
Central Truth
Remember to be thankful to God for everything, because even in the tough times, God is with us and He wants to be our rock.
Reflections
I suppose that if the song by Bobby McFerrin had actually been titled "Don't Worry, Praise God" it probably wouldn't have been so popular in 1988 and beyond. But if you think about it, it really should have been. God wants us not only to turn to him in troubled times with prayers of supplication, but to praise Him during these times. James 1:2 tells us to "consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." God has a plan and He's working through these challenges for our benefit.
The Psalmist reminds us that the best solution for despair, our depression, and our anxiety is to look at the infallible good in God. It's so easy in tough times to forget the big picture. To get caught up in the hurt and look for quick fixes (we are a society of instant gratification, after all). Instead of getting ourselves worked up and feeling sorry for ourselves ["my tears have been my food day and night" (Psalm 42:3)] we need to turn to God. We need to know that if we love Him and trust in Him, He is working for our good in these times . "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him." (Romans 8:28)
I know what it's like to be on a roller coaster of emotion similar to this Psalmist and I used to struggle heavily with depression and anxiety. It wasn't until I started committing God's Word to memory, hiding His truths specifically about anxiety and depression in my heart and turning my tough times over to Him that I began to have a sense of peace. Feelings such as these aren't uncommon but it's important to always come back to God as your rock.
My apologies to those of you who will now be plagued all day with this catchy tune from the 80's, but why not just try changing the words to "Don't worry, praise God" and see how your outlook changes?
Discussion Questions
1. How can holding on to our anxiety, instead of giving it over to God, hinder our relationship with Him?2. Do you have some of your own anti-anxiety Scriptures memorized? If not, take this opportunity to find a couple and memorize them. My favorites are Philippians 4:6, Proverbs 3:5, and Matthew 6:25-34.
3. Think of a time when you were really struggling, but God used it as a time to help you grow spiritually and strengthen your walk with Him. Look for ways to share this story with others as a way to encourage and witness to them.
Donna Hogue
April 28, 2010 07:31 AM
Thanks for your inspiring words, Juli. How true this is. Today I will praise God and not worry!
Chip Smith
April 28, 2010 07:50 AM
Good morning Juli. Since you love to cook, I thought you could relate to this: There's a lot of prep in a meal preparation as you know. Because eating is a necessity, sometimes in the business of a busy day, I will have to just throw a meal together. However, it usually never fails that while I am in the process of the prep, the joy of cooking returns to me. Have you ever experienced that? As I read your log this morning, I was reminded of Hebrews 13:15, "let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise...." Just as I need to eat every day, I also need to continually praise God. In the same way that the joy of cooking returns as I sacrifice time to prepare a meal, so does the joy of my salvation and relationship with Jesus return when I sacrifice time to praise God. Have a great day.
Richard Tinsley
April 28, 2010 08:14 AM
Thank you, Juli. Much needed reminder today. Blessings!
Cathy
April 28, 2010 08:40 AM
I love this Psalm and the other verses you referenced about turning to God, even panting and thirsting for Him, and putting our hope in Him, instead of worrying. For then we can praise Him each and every day.
Tim Hawks
April 28, 2010 09:35 AM
Juli, thanks for your encouragement this morning. This Psalm is perfect to get my head straight after a week on the road in Haiti and then in Guatemala. It seems that the problems are overwhelming and unsolvable. My tendency is to get "downcast". But this Psalm reminds me to put my "hope in God."
Cory
April 28, 2010 09:44 AM
What a great reminder for me to turn to God, my rock, in all life's circumstances. By placing my hope in Him instead of myself, God can do some wonderful things.
Van Chau
April 28, 2010 09:54 AM
What comfort we have in this wonderful Psalm! vs.8 "The Lord will command His loving kindness in the daytime. And His song will be with me in the night..." We are at times overwhelmed by situations that arise in our lives. But if we take time for "God sightings"...which is the details of His involvement in the midst of our struggles, we can't help but PRAISE HIM. God is definitely good all the time! Thanks, Julie for the devotional.