WAIT

This past weekend we talked about our concerns, trials, stresses in our lives...whether it was related to family, career, marriage, children, etc.

As I have been thinking about all that was shared...it occurs to me that we all expressed a desire for the circumstances within our lives to change. For the person at work to change, for the husband to change, for the child to change, for the marriage to change. But, I believe the Lord is saying to each one of us,

"My child, you leave these circumstances and challenges to me. These may or may not change in your life. But, I want YOU to change. You focus on YOU...nothing else. And, you will be amazed at how the "circumstances" will be affected."

So, as we plunge back into our lives this week...sure...the circumstances in our lives probably have stayed the same...at the moment. God wants us to focus on ourselves. "Change me, O Lord. Change me."

Change my unbelief.
Change my attitude.
Change my impatience.
Change my approach.
Change my outlook.
Change my resentment.
Change my pain.
Change my anger.
Change my hurt.
Change my worry.
Change my fear.

How do we begin to see "change" in our lives? Praise. Praise. Praise. Wait. Praise. Praise. Praise. Wait. When there is nothing else...praise.

"I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand (ah yes....standing firm). He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord (our children, our husbands, our co-workers)."
Psalm 40:1-3

"Wait for the Lord and keep his way. He will exalt you..." Psalm 37: 34

"I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." Psalm 27: 13-14

If you struggle to praise the Lord...read Psalm 103