I remember an old Edwin Hawkins song we used to sing in church a long time ago. It said, "I feel like going on. Though trials come, on every hand, I feel like going on." Over and over again, we would sing those words... and if you didn't feel like going on, you most certainly would by the time you finished singing the same chorus 100 times in a row!
I wonder; have you ever gone through a season in your life where you were up against some tough opposition and deep down you felt like waving the white flag of surrender, but instead of giving up, you decided to bless God through it? If so, didn't you feel the Holy Spirit lift that heaviness and replace it with His joy and peace? I know from personal experience that, some of my best moments in God's presence came when I praised and worshiped Him out of the depths of my brokenness.
You see, sometimes, your flesh won't necessarily feel like going on, but when you begin to praise and thank God, you engage your spirit. All of a sudden, something on the inside will get stirred up. Your outlook and your attitude will begin changing, not because your circumstances change right away, but because you change the atmosphere with your praise.
Who am I blogging for today?
Despite how hard it gets, you have to refuse to stay in that slump. You've got to say what David said: "I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth" (Psalm 34:1). Put on the garment of praise to combat that spirit of heaviness. (Isaiah 61:3).
When it gets sho' nuff rough, do what another favorite song of mine by Donald Lawrence says and just, "Speak over yourself; encourage yourself in the Lord." You might not feel encouraged in the beginning, but that's alright. Once you begin acknowledging what the word of God says about you, rather than how you feel about you and your situation, then God can infuse you with new life, peace, joy and a strengthened resolve to continue moving forward.
So even when you don't feel like it, dig way down deep and pull out a praise. Say to yourself, "Though trials come on every hand, I feel like going on..."
As always, thanks for reading, and until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!
Dianna Hobbs
