Many of you know that I have been battling Lyme disease for almost two years now. It can be a very life altering disease which in my case, it has been. Because of physical challenges, I had to step down from my full time career and fight each day to do everyday tasks like taking a shower, walking up stairs and driving. It’s been a life altering two years and the trial is ongoing as I type this. I don’t share this information for sympathy, however, I share it because, like you at some point in your life, I am in the midst of a very challenging time. My faith has been and is continually being tested. There have been many times when I have wrestled with God. What in the world is God trying to show me during this trial? How could He ever use it for His glory? I walked through the book of Habakkuk countless times during the last two years and I have been encouraged!While wrestling with God, I also desire to embrace who He is like Habakkuk did. If you haven’t read Habakkuk, I encourage you to do. What a small but mighty book of the Bible!

A friend led me to Psalm 103:1-5...”Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; May I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!” (NLT)

In this Psalm, we see David praising God and focusing on the goodness of God. David didn’t praise God because his life was “perfect.” He praised because God is good and he loves us greatly. I don’t know about you but I definitely needed this reminder...Praising God no matter my circumstances. Praising God no matter the trial I am in the midst of. I’ve learned to spend time praising God FIRST in my prayer time. That sets my mind and my heart on our Father and I come to Him in awe of who He is versus dumping my agenda on Him. How easy it is to ask for healing, family members salvation, a new job opportunity, money needed to pay our bills, etc. etc before praising God and giving him the worship and deep love and respect that He so deserves.

Being in the midst of a trial can make us become bitter towards God. “Lord it’s been almost two years. Why haven’t you healed me?” This was me at times for sure over these past two years. However, I’m learning that coming to God with a joyful, expectant, repentant, respectful heart first and foremost, will allow us to grow into a closeness with God like we’ve never experienced! I am not saying we can not wrestle with God, tell him we don’t understand, and can only bring Him the “good stuff.” But I am saying that when we focus on how good He is and how He is using our trials to bring us closer to Him, it can give us a completely different perspective in our lives.

I don’t know what you’re going through today but I want to encourage you to cry out in prayer to God. Praise Him for who He is. Our Heavenly Father wants to hear from you. He is always good no matter what our circumstances. I encourage you to talk with him, wrestle with him, praise him and study his Word so that you can experience His goodness and His heart towards you.

This song is one that reminds us of the goodness of God. I encourage you to listen and spend some time praising our Father️
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jkMnq2Hfzo