The Problem with Problems

Are you thankful? Do you praise God for all He is doing in your life? In your moments of despair, fear, loneliness, heartbreak, sickness, money problems, relationship problems, death and etc., do you lift up your heart to the Lord and thank Him for all He has done? Why not? Isn’t God sovereign over all? Or, is your view of God limited to your situation? Read what David had to say about God, His Redeemer, His Rock, His Refuge:

Psalm 103:1-22 A Psalm of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. (2) Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; (3) Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases; (4) Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; (5) Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle. (6) The LORD performs righteous deeds And judgments for all who are oppressed. (7) He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the sons of Israel. (8) The LORD is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. (9) He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever. (10) He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. (11) For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. (12) As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. (13) Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. (14) For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust. (15) As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. (16) When the wind has passed over it, it is no more, And its place acknowledges it no longer. (17) But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children's children, (18) To those who keep His covenant And remember His precepts to do them. (19) The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, And His sovereignty rules over all. (20) Bless the LORD, you His angels, Mighty in strength, who perform His word, Obeying the voice of His word! (21) Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, You who serve Him, doing His will. (22) Bless the LORD, all you works of His, In all places of His dominion; Bless the LORD, O my soul!

I think you and I get tunnel vision. We only see what is going on in OUR lives (remember the “mine”?). We limit ourselves because of the “right now”. We are so “me-centered.” We are so focused on what is happening to us today, we forget about some really important facts about life. What facts are these? Go back and re-read this psalm of David. Underline God’s actions (verbs) or phrases describing Him – okay, so I did it for you! Marvel at verse 19.

Verse 22 says “Bless the LORD”. The word “bless” means to “praise” or “as in adoration, praise”. Praise God in all things! Praise God for His sovereignty over you and that He can see beyond whatever it is you are going through right now. Remember, this life of yours, is not yours – is not about you. Your life is about God. Fleeting as our lives are, they should be full of praise and adoration of our Lord. Lift up your heart in praise. Praise the God Who loves you, redeemed you and desires a relationship with you!

Focus on God. You will find your problems fall into the right perspective and be able to praise Him in all things: good and bad.

Praise God!!!

dogledanji!