Bless the Lord, O My Soul!

"I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart." Psalm 34:1 NLT

According to this scripture, we are to praise the Lord no matter what is going on in our lives. This is easier said than done, but I am making a concentrated effort to do it. The truth of the matter is, I don't feel like praising God right now. I feel like curling up in a ball and crying until the pain is all gone; until God finally heals my heart. But I am learning not to let my feelings control me. If I gave in to my feelings, I would never be free. The enemy of my soul, the devil, does not want me to be free, so he whispers lies to me; lies that sound like truth until they are compared with the Word of God. I cannot listen to his lies! I have to take authority over my feelings and speak the word of God. The truth according to God's word is that He is taking care of everything that concerns me. There are too many to count, but a few of them are:

“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.
When you go through deep waters,I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you." Isaiah 43:1-3 NLT

"The Lord will perfect that which concerns me;
Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever;
Do not forsake the works of Your hands." Psalm 138:8 NKJV

"I have chosen you and have not rejected you.

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 41:9b-10 NIV.

I have these and many, many more in the Bible that tell me God is at work on my behalf. He is taking care of me; He is working everything out that concerns me. I don't need to worry, God's got this. So, I am choosing to praise God TONIGHT, even though I don't feel like it.

"I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders.
 I will be glad and exult in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High."   Psalm 9:1,2 NASB

"I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.
He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord." Psalm 40:1-3 NLT

But perhaps the one that fits the best is Psalm 103:

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits;
 Who pardons all your iniquities,
 Who heals all your diseases;
 Who redeems your life from the pit,
 Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
 Who satisfies your years with good things,
 So that your youth is renewed like the eagle." Psalm 103:1-5 NASB

One of my favorite worship songs is right out of this Psalm. It has become my theme song. I'm going to sing it in spite of how I feel, because the Lord is worthy of my praise.

And while I'm singing and praising God, one of these days I'll realize my heart has been healed. Bless the Lord, O my soul!