Why You Must Remember #31DaysofPraise

“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.”
Psalm 103:1-2

It seems I have a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde personality. Maybe you do too.

When my children are obedient and respectful, my bills are paid (with a cushion in the bank), my husband is attentive and responsive to my needs (um … wants), my health is good, and my toes are warm (well, to me that’s important!), my heart sings. 

However, when my children behave like … well … children, my wallet grows terribly thin, my husband becomes distracted, my head aches, and my toes are chilled (told you it is important to me!), my heart mutters.

You see, I struggle to separate my feelings from my circumstances.

I know we have the most opportunity for growth in the more difficult times. 

I know the Lord has only good plans for me. 

I know that even on my worst days I’m incredibly blessed. 

I know that I know that I know the Lord is working in even THIS. 

But my head knowledge doesn’t always reach my heart. 

Why Remember?

So I’ve found I have to help it a bit. Of course, listening to worship music is one way to boost my being into praise (I discuss that in this post). 

But another powerful way to connect my heart with the truth of God’s love and grace and constant attention to the details of my life is to remember His blessings. 

A powerful way to connect my heart w/ the truth of God's love and grace and faithfulness is to remember His blessings. Share on X

I must remember what the Lord has done for me. When I recall His benefits to me, I can rise above my circumstances and bless Him in the midst of the struggles.

If I need all the stars to align properly to be happy, I’m in a heap of trouble. Life in a sin-filled world doesn’t work that way. 

Life is messy and it will continue to be so until we reach our everlasting glory. 

The Choice

And I’ve discovered I have a choice in its messiness. I can live with the head knowledge of Christ’s love, yet walk around upset about most of my day’s circumstances.

Or I can let the truth of what He’s already done for me and His constant presence reach my heart and transform it to sing His praises despite what is unfolding in my life.

In other words, I can live anxiously, informed by my circumstances, or I can live expectantly, informed by the Lord’s faithfulness.  

I can live anxiously, informed by my circumstances, or I can live expectantly, informed by the Lord's faithfulness. Share on X

The second brings far more joy and peace. 

Because life becomes an adventure when we look at its blessings and possibilities instead of its difficulties and limitations,…

Life becomes an adventure when we look at its blessings and possibilities instead of its difficulties and limitations Share on X

…offering each of us the opportunity to truly live free!

“…forget none of His benefits” (Psalm 103:2).

Reflections: When circumstances collide with your expectations, how do you convince your heart to keep on praising?

And since I can’t reference this Scripture verse without highlighting Matt Redman’s song “10,000 Reasons,” be blessed by this video. 

I am always thrilled to link up with Suzie Eller for #livefreeThursday and this week’s prompt, “anxiety or adventure.” I love these special linkups. They provide an abundance of great inspiration and encouragement all in one place. Click on the image below or link above to check them out.