Over on Instagram, I always try to come up with catchy hashtags to use each year…last year was #thisismerocking43 and it ended up being pretty awesome, so the pressure was on to top that this year. After much deliberation I came up with #iwillpraiseclaimsoarat44 which combines 3 Bible verses that are near and dear to my heart and goals for the next year!
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (Praise) give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Psalm 37:4 (Claim) Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart
Isaiah 40:31 (Soar) but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint
Life isn’t always easy and a walk in the park, this we know. But in every single situation, we are called to praise God. Sometimes we don’t feel like praising Him, if we’re honest, we feel like doing anything BUT that. In those moments, God is shaping us, teaching us, preparing us for what HE has for us in HIS time…so – as hard as it is in the valley – Praise the Lord!
God knows our hearts – the deepest fears, desires and needs. He wants us to delight in Him. Does that mean He will give us everything we desire – a million dollars, a fancy house, car or a super thin waistline? Probably not – but I can’t speak for you. If that’s God’s plan for you, then by golly you can bet it will happen. I think this verse is more along the lines of God already knows what’s best for you…He knows the things that are deep in our hearts that we have prayed for, longed for, trusted Him for, patiently (or not so patiently – ha!) waited for and He will provide for us in His time, according to His plan. For me – this part speaks directly to my desire to be a mom. My husband and I are praying big prayers concerning this area of our lives and we are putting it in God’s hands and trusting Him.
Along with that – I am praying to soar like the eagle, run and not grow weary and walk and not faint. I am praying that He blesses my socks off and I can’t help but shout from the rooftop what God has done in our lives, but even if He doesn’t answer our prayers the way we want, I’ll still praise Him. He knows what’s best for us – and I am letting go of any control I have in the matter and leaving the big stuff up to God.
Big Thursday thoughts – but straight from my heart. I hope you have a blessed day!
Stephanie
