Joy for my journey

I have had several restless nights this week, concerned about my health, Gordon's ability to cope with all of this, and of course the current financial crisis all of us are experiencing. I must admit, that sometimes it is difficult to trust God, and to find that peace we all so desperately need.
Some dear friends gave me a book sometime ago, Joy for the journey, a women's book of joyful promises. One excerpt in it from Joni Eareckson Tada's book, Seeking God says, "Whether it's a financial crunch, a sudden illness, or a personal defeat, if you fix your heart on praise to God, then you have offered a sacrifice. If you've ever cried during those heartbreaking difficulties, 'Lord, I will hope in you and praise you more and more,' then you have offered words that have cost you plenty. Praise in those circumstances is painful...

I've have been told that the Hebrew word for awaiting means 'quiet trust.' Those words don't sparkle with effervescence. It's like saying, "I have prayed about this burden, and now, Lord, I will quietly wait on You even before I see the answer. I expect it. And this is my sacrifice of praise to you--I believe and trust."

Please remember this: Most of the verses written about praise in God's Word were voiced by people faced with crushing heartaches, injustice, treachery, slander, and scores of other difficult situations. They knew the sacrifice of praise was a key to victory on their spiritual journey."

Isa 26:3-4) You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. 4 Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.

Isa 12:2) Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation."

Phil 4:4-9) 4) Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5) Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6) Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7) And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8) Finally, brothers, 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. 9) Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

I long for the peace this passage speaks about. I believe the only way to receive that is to praise God in spite of my circumstances, think right (righteous) thoughts, be thankful for the good and the bad (difficult) things in my life, and practice (do) what God has called me to do. We do not have to have a Damascus Road experience to hear from God. He calls us daily to influence those we come in contact with. And we do--either for good or bad. We should all ask God in the morning to direct our lives and actions in such a way as to reflect his character to others. Then in the evening, ask ourselves if we have done that.

I thank God for the opportunity to share these thoughts through this blog. It is my fervent prayer that something I have shared will encourage others.