Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! – Philippians 4:4
One thing I’ve always been really good at is completely panicking whenever things seem to be getting out of control. Out of my control, that is. As long as things are going smoothly, I’m fine. But the moment something comes my way that I don’t know how to fix, anxiety floods my soul. No matter how much I may know that I need to “let go and let God”, I find it impossible to actually do it. My perspective gets totally out of whack as I focus on my problem and desperately search for solutions. Surprisingly, I rarely find the answers I am looking for when I’m looking within myself. How is it that I always forget to look up???
I think I should make myself a “praise log” to carry around with me. In it I could keep track of every good thing God has done and continues to do for me. For starters, God has: saved my soul, adopted me as his daughter, prepared a place for me, guaranteed my victory, promised to never leave me, always provided, always protected, and the list goes on and on. When I look at this list it is impossible not to have a change in perspective. When I remember who God is and what he’s done, it is impossible not to smile. When I look up instead of around, I can’t help but rejoice in the Lord.
Once more the humble will rejoice in the Lord; the needy will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. – Isaiah 29:19
Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. – Psalm 105:3