Over the past few days or so, as I’ve been reading through a variety of different devotions, a recurring theme keeps on coming to mind.
That is, irregardless of one’s circumstances, we should celebrate God!
We should celebrate Him not only for the big things in life, but the little things as well.
After all, being grateful, thankful, and appreciative of stuff in our lives is supposedly good for us, and it helps to alleviate the negativity and stress that we are constantly bombarded by.
However, sometimes, that is easier said than done! Especially if one is struggling to come to terms with, or deal with the challenges that come from living with a rare disease or disorder, physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Scleroderma can certainly have that effect on people. It can cause one to question not only one’s abilities and capacity, but also one’s faith in God. Mainly because it can be so unpredictable, one day you can feel ‘right as rain’ and as if you can deal with anything that comes your way. The next, as if you’ve been hit by a bus and you can barely make it out of bed. This can certainly mess with your head.
Thankfully though, for me this past week, I haven’t had too many of the later days, which makes a welcome change 🙂 I’m starting to get better at pacing myself so that my energy levels aren’t depleted to quickly.
But this takes time and every now and again irregardless of what I have done, or even should I say not done – I can be left reeling physically, mentally, and emotionally as if all the energy within me just vanished in a moment and the aches and pains come over me in waves.
Almost as if someone unbeknownst to me has put a small hole in my gas tank and fuel is dripping down the highway of life as I go along and there is nothing I can do about it.
A little while ago, I wrote about being content in all circumstances, and to some degree, I live a very contented life. I have come to know that when feelings of ‘woe is me’ strike, I need to remind myself that there are many others out there that are in a much worse position than I am.
A friend of mine recently experienced what she referred to as a fear-induced day. By the grace of God, she was able to not only get through the day unscathed, but she was also celebrating the fact God was back in her life and He has been helping her get through.
As she shared I was reminded of a verse from Psalm 145 that I’d recently read;
“My heart explodes with praise to you!
Now and forever my heart bows in worship to you
my King and my God!
Every day I will lift up my praise to your name
with praises that will last throughout eternity.“
Psalm 145:1-2 (The Passion Translation)
Later that evening I read a verse from Habakkuk 3:18 “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!” (New Living Translation)
Which then got me reading a variety of different translations of Psalm 145.
The following stood out for me as it emphasises not only the importance of internalising our appreciation of God and praising Him, but also proclaiming His greatness;
“I will proclaim your greatness, my God and king;
I will thank you forever and ever.
Every day I will thank you;
I will praise you forever and ever.“
Psalm 145:1-2 (Good News Translation)
When things happen in your life do you recognise God at work in it? Do you celebrate Him? Do you proclaim His greatness and / or His goodness? Do you thank Him for what He is doing in and through your life? Do you give glory and honour to our Father in heaven for everything He has done and everything that He is going to do?
The thing is, expressing gratitude for the little things as well as the big things in our lives is good for us. But how often do we really do it?
Even if you don’t believe in God, or have a different belief system all together, it is still extremely helpful to have an attitude of gratitude. We are to be thankful – as this can help release good vibes, positive energy and good endorphins and dopamine into our bodies to help relieve pain, reduce stress and improve our mood.
Some people look to meditation and yoga to help, others spend prolonged time listening to music, reading a book, writing poetry or doing crafts such as knitting and crochet etc. Some major on exercise as much as their bodies allow, while others reconnect with nature.
Every now & again I like to read Leslie Brandt’s Psalms/Now to get a slightly different take on what the original author of the psalms may have been getting at. He picks up on this theme of not only emphasising the importance of internalising our appreciation of God and praising Him, but also proclaiming His greatness, he writes;
“God is here – let’s celebrate!
Let us enlist our lives in perpetual celebration
over God’s goodness and greatness.
Let us announce to the world God’s presence
and proclaim His loving concern for all men [and women].
How compassionate He is over all He has created,
how tender toward His failure-fraught creatures!
He will not fail in any of His promises to us.
His blessings are not reserved only for those
who fit obediently into His design from them.
He is just – and He is forgiving.
He gently picks up those who have fallen
and restores them to sonship [daughtership] and servanthood.
He sustains those who are wavering in weakness
and grants them His grace and strength.
He reaches into the void of empty lives
and enriches and fulfils their hungry hearts.
He is near enough to hear our every cry,
to sense our every need,
to grant us whatever is necessary
to make us happy and productive
as we seek to follow and to serve Him.
How incomparably glorious is our great God!
May our mouths articulate and our lives demonstrate
His ever-present love for all His creatures.
Let us celebrate
the eternal mercy and goodness of our God.
I hope and pray that as you’ve read these words that you have been encouraged by them and that you give yourself space and time to Celebrate God!
Maybe over the next day or two you’ll also be reminded to announce to the world His presence and proclaim His loving concern for each and every one of us regardless.
For we should “not [be] ashamed of the Good News, since it is God’s powerful means of bringing salvation to everyone who keeps on trusting…” Romans 1:16 (Complete Jewish Bible)
Or as Eugene H. Peterson paraphrases it in The Message “It’s [the] news I’m most proud to proclaim, this extraordinary Message of God’s powerful plan to rescue everyone who trusts him…”
In closing I’d like to share a beautiful piece from the International Staff Band of The Salvation Army entitled “Rejoice, The Lord is King”
Blessings ’til next time 🙂
Other posts that you may be interested in reading:
- Living with Scleroderma
- The Importance of Thankfulness
- When Life is Topsy Turvy and You Feel Afraid, Step Forward Anyway
- Three Habits of Gratitude God Wants Us to Develop
- Where Will You Find Joy?
- How Can We Develop Joy in our Lives?
The life and times of Perry... 