Stuck Until You Worship
Have you been fixated on an obstacle that you desperately wanted God to move out of your way? I know I have. However, I realized that the fixation becomes so great that it takes over your thoughts, becoming increasingly overwhelming. You find it difficult to ignite the passion for other things that need your focus and time.
Such obstacles may be as small as financial dilemmas that are in the way of purchasing a new home, navigating a career move to grow your talents, or conflict with family members that need resolution. Other obstacles include grief, hurt, or pain from a traumatic experience that changed your life forever. No matter what, God did not forget.
One morning I was talking to my best friend about how we as Christians may focus on one problem, and the burden of that one problem blinds us to all the other great things God has done. I mentioned how we can be so spoiled by God that we forget where he brought us, or we forget to practice daily gratitude. My best friend summed it up in one sentence: She said, “Sometimes, people are just stuck until they worship.”
Now, if you know my friend, Whitney Marie, she is great at phrasing things in one sentence that took me a sermon to articulate! Oftentimes, we are one step away from our breakthrough. We are one positive thought, one prayer, or one praise away from entering into the joy God has. Joy is truly a choice. The Bible explains that “the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). The Bible also says not to worry about anything, but to pray over everything (Philippians 4:6). We forfeit a lot of peace when we do not take things to the Lord.
Therefore, practice daily gratitude. As you renew your mind and your strength each day, filter all the negative thoughts and think about good things. Look at the scriptures below, and add these as a quick reference in the notes on your phone, or jot them down in a journal. You can also highlight them in your Bible.
Five Scriptures to Guard Your Mind
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Romans 12:2 - NIV)
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Philippians 4:8 NIV)
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5 - NIV)
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11 - NIV)
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” (Isaiah 26:3 - NIV)
Now, that we have reviewed some scriptures to support the reasons why worrying about obstacles is not the way to approach difficult situations. Let’s practice reframing some of our thoughts. We want to be obedient to God concerning our thoughts and behaviors. The brain is such a powerful organ. Not only does it tell your body what to do, but your thoughts are housed there. These thoughts affect your mood, your body, and your spirit. Many of us have witnessed people who died of broken hearts or who were stressed out so much that such stress affected their physical bodies. We also know extreme stress affects our spirit, too. Simply put, stress kills. If it doesn’t kill you physically, it kills mentally, and it kills your spirit.
Examples of Reframing Thoughts in Real-Life
“I do not know if we will be pre-approved for this home purchase.”
Reframed: If God says the same, we will be pre-approved for this home. If not, we trust his will and the home he has for us, whether it is the current home we want or another home.”
“If my mother dies, I do not know what I would do without her.”
Reframed: God can heal my mother, but if he doesn’t, it is not because he couldn’t. He is perfect in his ways. He still loves my mother, and he still loves me. We all belong to God. God makes no mistake.
“I have no income because of layoffs at work. We won’t be able to make ends meet.”
Reframed: Lord, my math is not your math. You can allow anything to happen. I trust your will, and I know you will not forsake me.
“My life is not in balance. I have too much on my plate to stay focused on being productive in any aspect of my life!”
Reframed: Lord, I am in a season of busyness, but you can calm the storm and help me refocus. I trust you to give me my daily bread.
At this point, we have identified the obstacle of worrying, we have a few scriptures to support how we should think in a manner that is pleasing to the Lord, and now, we will take a look at worshiping God through it all! Turn your attention to Psalm 102. I encourage you to read it. Reflect on how David felt at the beginning of this Psalm. He was definitely in a desperate state. However, a little over midway through the Psalm, he says this: “Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord...” (Psalm 102:18).
In Psalm 102, David encourages us to worship even through immense pain and distress. Despite our affliction and our feelings, the truth is that we must worship the Lord in every season. Therefore, you are “stuck until you worship.” Share this message with someone today.
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