But God . . .

LORD, it’s hard to Thank YOU and Praise YOU sometimes.

YOU are always worthy.

And there is always something to be thankful for.

BUT GOD . . . when troubles and trials overshadow the good stuff.

When the pain is more than not.

When confusion seems to reign.

When the storms shake and rattle me to the core . . .

GOD, help me.

There is an old song that says, “The chains that seem to bind me, drop powerless behind me, when I Praise the LORD!”

Help me to remember that.

My humanity shakes its fist.

My humanity stomps its foot.

My humanity cowers in the corners.

BUT GOD . . .

Even when Thanking YOU feels very awkward and made up – when it feels more fake than anything else – LORD, help me be stubborn enough to persist in Faith.

And LORD, may YOUR Presence be bigger than all my problems.

: Psalm 116:17 – I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the Name of the Lord.

• LORD, I am learning what the sacrifice is. Thank YOU for YOUR Patience and Kindness with me, to me.

: Philippians 4:4-6 – Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the Peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

• LORD, help me to remember that YOU are at hand. YOU are with me. Why should I be afraid? Why should I be anxious? Why should I? YOU are with me. YOU are at Peace, why not me, too? 😉

: Psalm 100:2 – Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into His Presence with singing!

• LORD, help me do this. Please . . .