Praising in the storm
Storm- A tumultuous reaction; an uproar or controversy.
It has been a long time since I sat down and wrote a devotion. When I started this, I knew that I only wanted to write when I felt led to with whatever God wanted me to write about. This is a new season for my family. My husband just got back after being gone for 2 months and we moved across the country to a state that none of us have ever been before. It has been an exciting, anxious, and stressful time that I am still adapting too. It is during these times that I try to remember to praise Him in the storms and to give my anxiety to him.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
This has become one of my favorite verses to repeat in my head these last few months. Sure, parts of me were excited to leave Louisiana after seven years and embark on new adventures but the rest of me was equally sad and terrified. Sad because I have an amazing church family that I had to leave. Sad because I miss singing and worshipping every Sunday with the praise team. Sad to leave all my friends. There was (is) a lot of fear of the unknown. I am not perfect, and I have forgotten to praise Him in the storm these past few months. Between work, school, and my kids I barely had a moment to myself and often the only worshipping I did was during church services. It is so important to make God a priority in all times of our lives, especially the trying times.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
“Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!” 1 Chronicles 16:11
God wants us to come to him and to lean on him during these storms. From my experience a routine centered in Him is the best way to stay connected to God and to lift your spirits in those trying times. My routine has changed a lot and even became non-existent the past few months. While my husband was gone my anxiety was at an all-time high and I did not praise Him like I should have. I let the stressful times outweigh the good. Do not get me wrong, it was a hard time. Our old dog progressively got sicker and I had to make the decision to put her down. I was sick, my kids were sick, and I was still trying to work and go to school and maintain my 4.0 GPA (I accomplished this!). There was prayer thrown in there (a lot of it) but my routine of worshipping to music and reading my Bible was gone. God does not give up on us though. I have developed a new routine now. It is important to set a routine and make the decision to follow through and commit 100%. You will find that your day will flow much better if you start it off reading your Bible, listening to worship music, and praying.
What is your morning routine like? Is God a part of it? Even if throwing worship music on while you clean your house is all you can squeeze in then do it! Often the only thing I have time for is listening to the Lauren Daigle channel on Pandora while cleaning my house and my day is still so much better than if I had decided to clean in silence or listen to other types of music. Make time in your day for him.