Psalm 34:1-3

I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.
I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.

I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

What do we do when all around us it seems like things are falling apart?  Whether it’s a strained relationship, job security, or an uncertainty of the future, I know that my first tendency isn’t usually to give praise to God.  Yet Paul exhorts us in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 to “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”. 

What if we actually did that?  What if we took the focus off of ourselves and our situation and looked to the One who can gloriously change our perspective?  Someone has said, “When you fix your thoughts on God, God fixes your thoughts.”

May I suggest that when you feel overwhelmed, fearful or even a general sense of dissatisfaction with life, that you spend some time worshiping and praying through a Psalm?  The Psalms provide a template to help us connect our souls to the only one who can truly satisfy our deepest longings (Psalm 90:14).  Try praying through a psalm like Psalm 34, making David’s words your own and personally expanding on them as the Spirit leads you.  Pour out your heart to Him and though your circumstances may not change, you may get an eternal perspective that will help weather any storm or challenge that comes your way.