Praise–In the flesh, praise is given when something great has taken place and you give praise and thanks to the one who is praiseworthy. There is an entirely different realm to praise when it comes to giving praise to God. In flesh we praise when it is connected to something concrete that has taken place. In spirit, we praise because of Faith in God. Praise in this case is not tangible. It is built on FAITH/TRUST/HOPE that the God Who gave us salvation will walk us through anything we are presently facing.

I recall when I was facing my divorce and the years subsequent to it, being asked to praise God in spite of these circumstances. I recall years later when I was asked to praise God not because of my childhood abuse, but because God is always praiseworthy. In those years of my life I would attempt to do this (not often) and most always I’d end up hating God at the moment because NOTHING seemed praiseworthy. I’d ask, “Why am I suppose to praise you when I try so hard to serve you and I keep getting more hurt piled onto what is already there?!”

I have several counseling cases of present where their hurt is raging. They come for counsel and then they call during the week needing encouragement and daily guidance. I know God is wanting me to do for them what He had others do for me–point me back to Him. Today I see so clearly how God was using everything in my past to grow me into a more complete servant. I had a lot of “boundaries” for God back then. I would serve Him in ways that I felt safe and would never serve Him in the ways I do today.

GOD IS PRAISEWORTHY! It has taken me a lifetime to grow FAITH to where it is today. Planting seeds for others is a step I need to take. Helping to grow the garden of FAITH, TRUST and HOPE within each of us is a garden God wants me to help bloom. The season may be winter for some, but SPRING is on its way.