To cover you when you’re in despair
Five years ago when I learned I had a rare aggressive cancer, endometrial carcinosarcoma, I was in shock and despair as I confronted my mortality face to face.
Through God maturing me and the Holy Spirit showing me miracles these last years, fortified and strengthened me and gave me a hope and yearning to continue my life in another realm. It looks like I will be graduating a little ahead of my contemporaries.
I belong to Jesus. I will be going home soon.
In John 10:28-29 NIV says:
28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all[a]; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
It is one of many Bible scriptures I hold dear that gives me great comfort. It makes me break out in praise to the Three in One, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Anyone who reads the Bible knows the Bible teaches opposite of what the world view is such as loving your enemies as yourself, forgive those who hurt you, have humility over pride.
Another important lesson is to praise God in the face of despair. Wear praise to the Lord as a garment that surrounds you and wraps you up in comfort, love, and hope because we wait in hope on the Lord, He is our Almighty God. Praise is an extension of our great hope in God.
In the words of Pastor Jentezen Franklin, “There are seasons when the weight of the world feels too heavy to bear. Fear, worry, depression—they creep in quietly, then sit on your chest until it feels impossible to breathe. But God has given you a weapon that never fails. It’s called praise. The scripture says we are to put on the garment of praise and take off the spirit of heaviness. Praise changes the atmosphere. Praise shifts the climate of your heart.”
Just as tropical plants cannot live in a cold climate, negative thoughts cannot live in an atmosphere of praise. The heaviness of fear, doubt, depression and self pity will drop away.
When you praise God, your spirit becomes elevated in His glory and reminders of His blessings and future blessings lifts you out of your negative state.
Give praises to the Lord every day. Just as the Lord’s mercies renew every day, our praise to Him should also be renewed every day. By giving Him our love and reverence we are acknowledging the power of God.
“From His dwelling place He watches all who live on earth; He who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.” Psalm 33:14-15 NIV.
“But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.”Psalm 33:18-19. NIV
Fortify yourself every day giving God worship and praise to:
Withstand the lies of the the devil
Before you hear the news of the world
Before receiving bad news
Praise Him and watch the spirit of heaviness fall away. Change your climate.
“and provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.”
Isaiah 61:3. NIV