How can we praise God in the midst of a threatening storm?
As I prayed for my mother and the circumstances surrounding her illness, I didn’t always “feel” like praising God. In fact, I wasn’t thankful during this difficult season at all—my family was desperate for a miracle. Lord, please help us!
Jesus promised his followers that he would send an advocate to help them:
If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them. (John 14:15-21 NIV)
Some days, I don’t sense God’s presence. But I also know I can’t trust my emotions while under stress. So I choose to believe God’s Word instead. I know he is my only hope when times are confusing and danger is near.
On difficult days, my mind predictably focuses on negative thoughts, instead of my blessings. And I’ve discovered that gratitude is a choice, not a natural response to a crisis.
Red Flags
How can we pray with thanksgiving during times of crisis? Do you find yourself begging God to answer your prayers? How can we change our approach to prayer so we can pray with thanksgiving?
GraceTalk
What scripture promises have guided your prayers as you lifted up a need to the Lord?
Reflection
Considering some of your emotions before you prayed during a storm. Were you desperate? Begging? Confident? Thankful?
This excerpt taken from my eBook, RESTNotes. Be sure to get your FREE copy today!
