Praise Through Tears

photo credit: Reap the Harvest Ministries

As I sat there with such heaviness of heart, such a feeling of hopelessness and sense of being completely overwhelmed, the tears flowed freely. The despair seemed to pick up strength with each passing second. How was I going to stop this? How do I go out and be a mom today? I'll be of no use to anyone. I've got responsibilities today.

I cry out, "O Lord, be the lifter of my head".

I pick up my devotional today and read:

Rejoice in the Lord always. I say it again: Rejoice! (Philippians 4:4)

"Sing on, dear child. I hear you and I am coming to deliver you.

I will carry that load for you. So just lean hard on Me,

and the road will get smoother by and by."

( Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman)

How do I rejoice? How do I sing?

I sense I have a choice here, the course of my day may just hang on what I do in the next few seconds. I can almost feel knots in my stomach as something in me wants to resist. Through a heavy stream of tears and sheer determination I begin to sing the only thing that comes to mind . . .

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow . . .

I wipe the tears and begin to write . . .

So I praise You through the tears, the heaviness, the darkness. I praise You because You alone are worthy of all my praise. You alone are God. There is none other besides You. You alone are my hope and my salvation. Bless the Lord, O my soul, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord with all that is within me, bless the Lord. Forget not one of His benefits~Who heals all my diseases, Who redeems my life from the pit, Who crowns me with loving-kindness and tender mercies. Who satisfies my mouth with good so that my youth is renewed like the eagles.

O Lord my God, You are very great! You are clothed with honor and majesty~I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have any being. May my meditation be sweet to Him; as for me, I will rejoice in the Lord. Bless the Lord, O my soul!

The tears cease. My heart feels lighter. Hope peeks out from behind the clouds. It is not huge, but definitely lighter. Once again, He is the lifter of my head. Once again I see that praise really is a spiritual weapon that sends the darkness away and the enemy running.

It doesn't matter what the source of your discouragement or despair, the answer is the same. Praise! If nothing else, it takes our eyes off of ourselves and puts them on HIM! It can definitely be a choice of the will with no 'feelings' involved, but it works. Offer up to Him a sacrifice of praise today, you won't be sorry.