My cousin died of pancreatic cancer when she was in her twenties. She was still a newly wed with a young baby. Her life was just really beginning when she received the diagnosis. The disease and the treatments took their toll on her body and I will never forget how aged she looked when she passed. It was a painful decline for her but her steadfastness in her faith and praise for God never wavered.
Her pain at times was so great that prescription medications would not quell it. In those moments of greatest discomfort, she would close the doors to her room, crank up the volume to her favorite praise music, sing her lungs out and envelop herself in the praise of God. Losing herself in celebration to her Lord and Savior in full surrender and adoration dissipated the agonizing pain and filled her soul with joy.
Her cancer called her to proclaim her love for God even louder. She was able to give testimony of her faith to schools and church groups. A local popular radio station in the Chicagoland area brought her in for an extended live interview which impacted the lives of thousands. Not only did shouts of praise relieve her own pain, it shown glory on God in her life testimony.
There is something about praising God and giving Him glory that changes me. I can't say that I've lost myself in praise at home like Marci did to alleviate pain. But I have found myself in a gathering of other believers entranced in the praise of God and worship. In those moments, I've noticed that all else fades from my mind. I'm singly focused on God and His glory. I'm overwhelmed at the sensation of His presence in my life. I have no cares, no concerns, no problems. I actually feel more alive than at any other time. I've often wondered if this was a glimpse of heaven.
David expresses similar views in Psalm 108. He talks about the steadfastness of his own heart as he praises and makes music with all his soul to God. You begin to sense his own feelings of assurance and invincibility as wraps himself in the praise of God. He is overwhelmed by the glory of God and proclaims in open, rich exaltation. It's as if his consciousness becomes intertwined with God. Problems dissipate. Life challenges wane. Confidence blooms. Countenance explodes in joy.
Perhaps that's the key to pressing on through life. Instead of wallowing in the gloom of life and circumstance, that we celebrate life in God through praise and adoration, that we keep our eyes fixed heavenward on the glory of God. When the cloud of doom presents itself, we stop and break into songs of exultation acknowledging the power and majesty of God.
Your love, oh Lord, is higher the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the skies! Be exalted, O God, above the heaves; let Your glory be over all the earth. That's my prayer.
Her pain at times was so great that prescription medications would not quell it. In those moments of greatest discomfort, she would close the doors to her room, crank up the volume to her favorite praise music, sing her lungs out and envelop herself in the praise of God. Losing herself in celebration to her Lord and Savior in full surrender and adoration dissipated the agonizing pain and filled her soul with joy.
Her cancer called her to proclaim her love for God even louder. She was able to give testimony of her faith to schools and church groups. A local popular radio station in the Chicagoland area brought her in for an extended live interview which impacted the lives of thousands. Not only did shouts of praise relieve her own pain, it shown glory on God in her life testimony.
There is something about praising God and giving Him glory that changes me. I can't say that I've lost myself in praise at home like Marci did to alleviate pain. But I have found myself in a gathering of other believers entranced in the praise of God and worship. In those moments, I've noticed that all else fades from my mind. I'm singly focused on God and His glory. I'm overwhelmed at the sensation of His presence in my life. I have no cares, no concerns, no problems. I actually feel more alive than at any other time. I've often wondered if this was a glimpse of heaven.
David expresses similar views in Psalm 108. He talks about the steadfastness of his own heart as he praises and makes music with all his soul to God. You begin to sense his own feelings of assurance and invincibility as wraps himself in the praise of God. He is overwhelmed by the glory of God and proclaims in open, rich exaltation. It's as if his consciousness becomes intertwined with God. Problems dissipate. Life challenges wane. Confidence blooms. Countenance explodes in joy.
Perhaps that's the key to pressing on through life. Instead of wallowing in the gloom of life and circumstance, that we celebrate life in God through praise and adoration, that we keep our eyes fixed heavenward on the glory of God. When the cloud of doom presents itself, we stop and break into songs of exultation acknowledging the power and majesty of God.
Your love, oh Lord, is higher the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the skies! Be exalted, O God, above the heaves; let Your glory be over all the earth. That's my prayer.
1 comment:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgqAN2i7GM0&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Your post reminds me of a song which expresses everything in your post so perfectly. This song has lifted my soul heavenward in praise to God on many, many occasions.
Thanks
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