Even when it Hurts..

You know those days. Those days that hurt so much more than the others. The ones where you feel lost, alone, desperate. To be honest...that's a good chunk of my week...let alone my life. It's so easy to fall into the pattern of allowing ourselves to feel this way, alone, lost, desperate for love and attention. Some days we just want a hug and for someone to say it's going to be alright.

So true story coming up. I was at work plugging through the day just trying to keep my head above all the paperwork that is piling up, getting lost in my own thoughts. Thinking about what had to be done that day, what has to be done this week, even what is going to happen over the next few weeks. That's one of my characteristics...I'm a planner and type A mentality. Some thoughts that go through my head are ones beyond my control. They are the usual thoughts of how will I meet someone, when will I meet someone, WHY haven't I met someone. There's that moment in the day where you feel God's presence more than others and today was one of those days. We are able to listen to music while we work and today I had on repeat Hillsong United's album Of Dirt And Grace (Live from the Land). I've only listened to a couple of the songs from this album prior to this however today was the day that I listened to the whole album. I got to track 7, Even When It Hurts (Praise Song) and it stopped me dead in my tracks

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Sv_876eqxg ). The lyrics that resonated with me were: “Even when the fight seems lost, I'll praise you. Even when it hurts like hell, I'll praise You. Even when it makes no sense to sing, Louder then I'll sing Your Praise.” I had to stop working for the 6 minute length of the song just to realize even more than before that no matter how much 'It' hurts, I'll Praise You.

One thing I'm guilty of is not praising God in the ways that He should be praised. Now I don't want you to think that I'm a hypocrite speaking all these things and not putting them into action. I praise God for all He has done in my life, and will continue to praise Him, however I don't praise Him in the rough patches. The times when discouragement, sadness, worry and despair take over. It seems much easier to fall into the pattern of feeling sorry for ourselves or wanting others to feel sorry for us. In Psalm 86:9-10 it states; “All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name. For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.”

We need to praise God in our season of waiting. This season is meant for us to learn more about ourselves, and our relationship with God. It will help us draw closer to Him and rely on His timing. In Psalm 100:1-5 we are to “Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his ; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” Remember, praise can be however you feel comfortable praising God in this season of waiting. It can be in song, prayer, or even crying out to Him. I encourage you to spend this time praising Him for all the good works He has done in your life and all the good works He still will do.