There's Always A Reason To Praise

For days now I’ve been obsessed with the Cory Asbury song “Reason to Praise”. These past couple of weeks have shown me a lot of heartache that the world gives. Friends getting lead on, tragedies that have rocked the nations, and people who are just plain rude. This past week has also shown me what it is like to live with fear and anxiety. Never in a million years would I have thought I would have pulled an all nighter before my nursing clinicals just simply because I was terrified of what was going to happen. It’s so frustrating, disappointing, and just plain tiring. So many times I've been so angry with God just simply wanting Him to do something about a certain situation because I think it would best, but the reality is what I want is not necessarily the best. This is hard to admit because I want to know what it going to happen in the future but we never get to have a detailed list of the hardships we're going to go through, however, just because bad things happen doesn't mean God has changed. The pain that this world has to offer can always seem like it's never going to end, but there will always be help given to those who ask for it. 

Despite all of the pain and heartache, I kept reminding myself that one, I’m still alive and breathing, two I have the opportunity to go to school or work, and three my God loves me more than I could possibly imagine even when I might not physically see that love. The fact that you woke up this morning is enough to be on your knees praising and shouting about the His goodness. It reminds me a lot of the story of Job in the Bible. This one man lost so much in such a little amount of time and through everything his one response was "The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.". I honestly wonder how much trust and faith you have to have in your God to respond to something like that. I know when I lose or fail at things in this world that I really wanted, I hardly ever respond like that, however, this is the start of changing my mindset. The Lord knows all and wants to give you an abundant life, but most of the time this does not come without suffering and that means responding with praise and joy through everything. 

God deserves to have His name declared on high through every season of your life. He created you in His image and wants you to succeed in this world by making disciples of all nations. Living a mundane life does not bring God glory nor does it produce any benefits that you will reap in heaven one day. No matter how bad the days get there will always be a reason to praise Him. Even when the world says it's futile or dumb, as a Christian it is my job to show people that there is joy to be found through the one who saved us all. He is there with you during the bad days and knows that the pain you're going through will be temporary but will produce fruits that provide a way for more people to enter the kingdom of heaven. I pray that each of you would see how loved and wanted you are by Him and I hope that even on the worst days you can see there's always a reason to praise.

May the peace and love of God be with you always,

Leah Carpenter