“Through Jesus, therefore, let us
continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly
profess his name” (Hebrews 13:15, NIV).
Praise. It is that very instance, when
in my most difficult circumstance, distress changes into joy; praise dispels
worry, and confusion changes into clarity. All is well and peaceful within me
though outwardly the storm rages.
In praise I am changed, and that change
must first come from within me. No matter how difficult my problems or my
circumstance–the change is found in my heart. Praise in the midst of hardship
breaks down inner walls. It recognizes the power of my God over the things out
of my control. Once I grasp that truth my heart will trust His faithfulness, and
in the chaos of my circumstances order will come.
My gift to Him is a thankful heart. When
things are hard—when pain persists—when problems overwhelm, I will seek reasons
to be thankful. I will seek to realize the blessings He gives that often slip by
unobserved. The gift of thanksgiving in my heart—no matter what is going on in
my life—is my sacrifice of praise.
What had once been a sacrifice of praise
shall be a sacrifice no longer. My heart shall no longer focus on my pain, but
on His faithfulness and His blessings. And then there will be joy.
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