Have you ever been so discouraged that all you wanted to do is crawl into bed, pull the covers over your head, close your eyes and hide from all the problems in your life? Have you ever been so low that you felt like maybe you were losing your faith? Have you ever walked through a time when all you could do was sigh deeply and groan within your spirit because life just seemed so heavy and overwhelming? I have. What did you do? How did you overcome the anxieties of life?
One of the lessons that I have been learning as I have journeyed through some of the most challenging and difficult times in my life is that, “the seeds of discouragement cannot grow in a thankful heart.” Reading that phrase and putting it into practice was probably one of the hardest things to do. In my natural self, I was inclined to focus my eyes on what I saw, which was tremendous lack in the area of personal and business finances. I was tempted to stare at my circumstances and dwell on all the things that I didn’t have at the moment. The truth that I found one day in reading God’s Word transformed my mind. Philippians 4:4-8 states,
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving
present your requests to God. And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble,
whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–
think about such things.
As I began to put this truth into practice in my life, I began to praise the Lord and be thankful even in the midst of my circumstances. I began by thanking Him for small things and as I continued to thank Him I began to experience His peace. I began to realize and be thankful for His Unfailing Presence in my life. I had a greater understanding of the bigger picture and to be thankful that this life isn’t all there is. I even began thanking Him for the opportunities (a.k.a. the cirumstances) in my life to trust Him more.
It was during this time of barren dryness in my life (I call it “Desert School”) that I began to learn to walk on the heights of new found hope and trust in God. One of the passages of Scripture in God’s Word that has become so precious to me, is Habakkuk 3:17-19 which states,
Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights.
The word that stood out so clearly to me as one of the most important in this passage is the little three letter word–YET. “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord…I will be joyful in God my Savior…” By an act of my will I will choose to praise Him even in the darkness of difficult circumstances. In giving this sacrifice of praise…in choosing to trust Him in spite of all that is happening around me…allows His Spirit to move and to give me the peace of Christ that transcends all understanding because my hope and trust are now in Him, not in myself, and not in anyone or anything else. In some of my lowest times, with tears streaming down my face and in between sobs I would sing the following song to my Lord. For me it was my way of letting Him know that no matter what, I will praise Him.
I’ll praise Your Name Lord
I’ll sing Your song
I’ll praise Your Name Lord
My whole life long
I’ll praise Your Name Lord
Until I’m home
I’ll praise Your Name Lord
I’ll sing Your song
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13) The ability to walk above your circumstances is available to you. Instead of worrying and being anxious over your circumstances, be thankful. Instead of dwelling on all that you don’t have, be thankful for what you do have…start with thanking God for each breath that you take and go from there. Remember, overwhelm discouragement with thankfulness. Determine in your heart that no matter what, yet you will praise Him and rejoice in God your Savior. For the Sovereign Lord is your strength and He will make your feet like the feet of a deer and enable you to walk on the heights.
Why not start right now?